[Elvis]

[Elvis]

More Jourdan from her chat with Dan Duggan:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/614607 ... ants-rams/

Stafford had a dispute with his existing contract extension (signed in 2022, after he helped the Rams win the Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium in L.A.) as early as last spring, and his camp let that be known during the first round of that year’s draft. This dragged out all spring and summer and even into the first day of training camp, during which coach Sean McVay pushed back his opening news conference by three hours while working out the eventual adjustment with Stafford that morning. The adjustment effectively front-loaded most of Stafford’s remaining guarantees into 2024 and kept the door open to revisit the rest of the existing contract this spring.

Now we’re here: There’s no chance Stafford will play on just $4 million in guarantees in 2025, so the contract must be adjusted again. The Rams, on the other hand, didn’t commit publicly to the QB in their season-ending news conferences last month and will be hesitant to shell out a huge sum or a lengthy deal with Stafford turning 37 earlier this month. That’s why all of this is up in the air — and curious teams are undoubtedly sniffing around.

...

If I’m McVay, I want this resolved before the mandatory NFL combine interviews with the media take place (McVay and Snead won’t be in Indianapolis, per usual, but will speak virtually). I know the Rams will not let this situation drag out through the spring, as it did last year. I don’t believe this is contentious at all, and based on their initial conversation, everybody knows where everybody is at. However, if the Rams want to keep any leverage against a full payout, they’ll need to have a clear understanding of what their trade options (and their bridge QB options) are, and Stafford’s agent Jimmy Sexton will want a full picture of what he could stand to make elsewhere. That’s a long way of saying this could be figured out before next week, or it could take until after the combine. It’s fluid, for sure, and I’ve learned by now that you never can rest too easily at any time in the football calendar when the Rams are working on something.

[BobCarl]

It’s fluid, for sure,

Yes, some are hoping it will be water under the "bridge" ...Back in the 1990's we called it unpredictable.

[Elvis]

[Zen_Ronin]

Really great discussion on the Stafford situation on Mina Kimes podcast. No "insider" knowledge per se, just a lot of good pros and cons conversation. (Cued to the start of the convo, and it pretty much runs in and out of the conversation throughout the rest of the episode)

[Elvis]

[Elvis]

Schrager says Stafford wants $50 mil plus, Rams aren't sure they want to pay it, other teams are willing to...

[actionjack]

Schrager says Stafford wants $50 mil plus, Rams aren't sure they want to pay it, other teams are willing to...

It is a little surprising (maybe just std op for negotiating) that Stafford cares that much about money at this point. All he has to do is look at Rodgers and see how bad other situations are.

I mean does Stafford want to finish out with the Giants or Raiders his last two years??!!?
Maybe the Steelers...

Anyway is best for both of them to get this done, both have some leverage. I expect it will.
Just dont see Stafford taking the chance with another team and the Rams dont have good options.

[Elvis]

Gary Klein:

https://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/sto ... ency-draft

If Stafford wants a new multiyear deal — he has two years left on the extension he signed in 2022 — the Rams will almost certainly pass on bringing back the player that led them to a Super Bowl title and two other playoff appearances.

Trading Stafford would at least net the Rams some draft capital.

But if it is simply coming to another mutually agreed upon adjustment, the Rams can put off for another year addressing who will be Stafford’s eventual successor.

[Elvis]

It is a little surprising (maybe just std op for negotiating) that Stafford cares that much about money at this point. All he has to do is look at Rodgers and see how bad other situations are.

True but i think you can also flip it around and ask why do the Rams care so much about maybe $10/20 mil over 2 years? It's not a lot of money and it's not a long term commitment, doesn't really affect future plans.

Are the Rams really saying we'll pay him 47 but not 52 or something like that? That doesn't make a lot of sense to me either.

Now if we find out Stafford wants a 4 year $200 mil deal and other teams are willing to give it to him, then i get it. Otherwise, not so much...