[AvengerRam]

OK, I'll put the question to you Elvis. Do you think it's obvious that Stafford has talked often enough since becoming a Ram about the possibility of retirement and or moving on from the Rams? If your answer is NO then please explain why the headlines once again are all about the uncertainty of his status and future with the Rams. Why we've gone through weeks if not months on multiple years when his contract required renegotiation. Why you once again seem to be "moderating" in favor of a poster continually beating a dead horse in spite of my inserting IMO, THIS IS ONLY MY OPINION in my posts. Why the need to protect this poster and I'm assuming, ban me for describing exactly what his weak argument implies? If this is being unreasonable or going too far, go ahead, ban me. I want them to sign Stafford but as I've said it's the $$ he wants and the $$ the Rams don't want to pay. THIS IS ONLY MY HUMBLE OPINION. BTW, if your answer was YES you should be addressing this to someone else.

The problem with headlines is that the vast majority of them are just click bait with little substance underlying them.

We know a few things right now:

1. Stafford wants to play at least one more year.
2. He doesn't want/intend to play on his current deal ($27M for 2025).
3. The Rams apparently don't mind if his agent talks to other teams to set the market (both in terms of trade compensation and salary).

Everything else is speculation.

One aspect I wonder about is whether the contract length is a sticking point. I'd guess that the Rams would prefer a shorter deal (probably 2 years). Stafford's camp might be pushing for a longer deal, as he does not care if he saddles the Rams with dead cap after he hangs it up.

I still expect they'll find common ground, in large part due to the lack of alternatives (ie weak QB draft class). That, of course, is just MY speculation.

[Elvis]

OK, I'll put the question to you Elvis. Do you think it's obvious that Stafford has talked often enough since becoming a Ram about the possibility of retirement and or moving on from the Rams? If your answer is NO then please explain why the headlines once again are all about the uncertainty of his status and future with the Rams. Why we've gone through weeks if not months on multiple years when his contract required renegotiation. Why you once again seem to be "moderating" in favor of a poster continually beating a dead horse in spite of my inserting IMO, THIS IS ONLY MY OPINION in my posts. Why the need to protect this poster and I'm assuming, ban me for describing exactly what his weak argument implies? If this is being unreasonable or going too far, go ahead, ban me. I want them to sign Stafford but as I've said it's the $$ he wants and the $$ the Rams don't want to pay. THIS IS ONLY MY HUMBLE OPINION. BTW, if your answer was YES you should be addressing this to someone else.

You're absolutely entitled to your opinion, just don't let it devolve into personal attacks. I know it happens. You're not the only one. But let's keep it to a minimum.

I don't think Stafford has talked about retirement enough for it to be an issue, no. Most older players say they'll take a little time at the end of the season, talk with their families, etc. Kind of status quo if you ask me.

All of the reports right now say the issue is money. Can the Rams and Stafford agree on a number that works for both of them?

But going back to the OP and the title of this thread, it does seem to be somewhat of a tough call...

[ziggy]

I think it’s gonna be a max cap balancing act for success in the next season and near future seasons.

However MS will stay. All the pressure on those other GMs (Giants, Steelers, etc) are also on the Rams organization. No way they can justify losing Stafford for pennies on the dollar offer the other teams are suggesting. There’s just no satisfactory offers available out in the market.

Funny thing is, I think teams like 9ers and Vikings get to sit on their hands and watch the Rams squirm because we are the first domino that must fall…. But whatever max cap pain we suffer the 9ers will suffer.

[Elvis]

The part i find a little odd is we're only talking about a very short term, roughly 2 years, mostly guaranteed, at or near the top of the market.

Purdy, Goff, Dak, Trevor Lawrence, those were all (or will be) big long term commitments.

Even if it fails, if Stafford loses it or gets hurt, just doesn't seem like the downside risk for the Rams is that much...

[Haden]

While I don't have any idea how this turns out obviously, it seems to me that Stafford was off his game a bit last year. Jimmy G played a better game, with backups, against a motivated team playing its first string, than Stafford did in any regular season game. Maybe the coaches see his game falling off the same way that Kupp's has. Everyone has that day. Maybe the Rams are stirring up interest in the league, pretending they really want to sing Stafford, so that they can deal him for some return in draft picks, and then move on. That would be my guess, but its just a wild guess for sure.

[actionjack]

While I don't have any idea how this turns out obviously, it seems to me that Stafford was off his game a bit last year. Jimmy G played a better game, with backups, against a motivated team playing its first string, than Stafford did in any regular season game. Maybe the coaches see his game falling off the same way that Kupp's has. Everyone has that day. Maybe the Rams are stirring up interest in the league, pretending they really want to sing Stafford, so that they can deal him for some return in draft picks, and then move on. That would be my guess, but its just a wild guess for sure.

When he was "off his game" is when he had broken ribs in the later part of the season.
I didnt see any issue with Stafford (healthier) in the playoffs. If you remotely think that Jummy G can run this team I got a bridge I can sell you. Jimmy did well with the screen game in that meaningless game, other then that meh.

[actionjack]

The part i find a little odd is we're only talking about a very short term, roughly 2 years, mostly guaranteed, at or near the top of the market.

Purdy, Goff, Dak, Trevor Lawrence, those were all (or will be) big long term commitments.

Even if it fails, if Stafford loses it or gets hurt, just doesn't seem like the downside risk for the Rams is that much...

Yeah I agree is strange to me what the Rams would be concerned about the contract. Like you said it is for 2 years and we have good cap space. IMO they sign a 3 year contract around 50-55/yr, where the last year can be voided. It is odd though.... now is the time to pay the QB while the defense is cheap. The Rams will need to conserve cap soon to start paying the defense and finding a cheap future QB.

So maybe Rams just think they can get him cheaper, his agent talking to other teams should make it more clear.

[ramsman34]

I think the new deal will be a 3 year contract that is really a 2 year deal. He will get close to $50 mil per with all of it guaranteed in 2025. In 2026 there will be language that guarantees most/all of his salary and the bonuses for both years will be part of the total guarantee. The 3rd year is tricky. Guarantees will be limited and it will be renegotiate again, retire, trade/release at that point.

Just my speculation.

Also, I simply cannot see a scenario where another team gets north of $50 mil/per guaranteed in a trade scenario.

[ramsman34]

And Action and I are thinking alike, yet again. Lol

[Haden]

When he was "off his game" is when he had broken ribs in the later part of the season.
I didnt see any issue with Stafford (healthier) in the playoffs. If you remotely think that Jummy G can run this team I got a bridge I can sell you. Jimmy did well with the screen game in that meaningless game, other then that meh.

I think Jimmy G is a competent QB who McVay could work with. My knock on him is that he can't stay healthy. He is about as reliable as Noteboom. Only McVay knows if Stafford is in decline and if he wants to have a bridge QB while he works with a new draft pick.