[Dare]

When I look at the film I see an offense that sputtered to the finish line after that brutal Bills game. Stafford wasn't the same the rest of the regular season. Go ahead and look at the film. Why do you think McVay abdicated on playoff seeding? With a #3 I have no doubt that the Rams could beat the Lions. I think in decent weather the Eagles could be beaten as well.

I take nothing away from the birdies, they played well and vindicated themselves in the Super Bowl. But what they showed is that a solid team on both sides of the ball doesn't need a super star QB1 to win it all. Look at the Niners they had that super bowl won except for some questionable coaching decisions. They got there with Purdy who is the essence of a game manager type of QB1. He's good not elite.

It's not about replacing he man! I said this with Donald's retirement and Verse and Fiske proved it. You replace the production and if possible he threat he posed. The same is true with a QB one. You get a QB who is a scheme fit for McVay's offense with is primarily a short and intermediate passing attack with occasional shots downfield if the secondary gives coverage opportunities. A good QB can give you that. What a younger QB brings is the added dimension of extending plays and being a threat with his legs if the defense makes a mistake and loses contain. That is something that is lacking in Stafford and you want to pay him top $$ for years?

That is why my bet would be on them drafting a QB who is a pocket passer but also can hurt a defense if they allow him to run. IMO that is the next evolution of McVay's offense and he simply can't do that with Stafford. Frankly, I think Matt will find few teams if any want to pay him $100-$120M for two years for a very good passing QB who is showing his age and has no legs left. Any team that gets him won't sign him for more than 2 years. Any added years beyond that are to spread cap.

If the Rams aren't willing to pay $50M this year they will wave goodbye to him and sign Jimmy for two years for $60M. One year as a mentor / bridge for a rookie they draft.

The lesson learned from the Super Bowl is that a team can win it all with a good QB, strong run game and a top defense. So to think Jim can't play as well as Purdy isn't realistic. Are the Rams willing to bet $50M that Stafford can play a whole season without dropoff or injury? Last year showed he couldn't. The defense carried the team after the Bills game.

It's why we could be looking at either trading Matt or shaking his hand and telling him good luck and thanks for the memories but this team needs to move on. If Stafford wants to stay for $30M with $20M guaranteed fine as that is probably close to what Jim would cost.

I don't understand where all this "poor Stafford" comes from. He did this to himself. He knew when he signed the contract that at some point he was expected to be a bridge for the next QB1. Regardless he turned a 5 year deal into a one year deal out of pure greed. He waited until after the draft to make his demand. He wanted to wait so that the Rams couldn't draft a QB. Nice guy huh? So yeah I don't have an overwhelming sympathy for him. I'm grateful for the Lombardi and the playoffs he brought, but this ending is a bit ugly because he made it that way. So Kelly is being disingenuous when she puts it on the Rams and the media and fans are buying it.

[Youngblood22]

I don't think Stafford was tired, sure a little. But Dare seems to know what's going on in the players and coaches head. How do you know he's tired? And his legs are gone? I don't agree. Watch the Viking game again. He was a little beat up, but he isn't in a wheel chair. Sore ribs to be sure.

[ziggy]

Confirmation bias.

However it’s not borne out in the numbers.

He’s getting older, we’re getting older. Easy to criticize. However there’s no better obtainable option in the league.

Find me a trade option for Allen or Jackson and we’ll talk. Dare, you keep talking about a young mobile qb… look what the Rams did to Darnold. These 2nd tier QBs aren’t MS. You can’t blitz Staff cause he can read and throw quicker(accurately) than others. Is he Superman, no. Does he have tendinitis… also no.

[ramsww]

“Stafford wants good money? Fine! Give it to him! Who are the best QBs in the NFL?”

Great, accept I don’t see the Rams paying STAFFORD what he obviously wants. I think he’s by far the best QB available and I would pay him but will the Rams? I don’t think so and Stafford won’t bend. His constant talk of retiring has killed any 2-3 yr deals but will he take a one year deal?

I have to disagree with Dare (the other poster) about signing Stafford at a time of transition. We were stacked with stars and missing only one piece. The “transition” was a self inflicted would and the price of going all in. I’d like to see Stafford here 2 more years. We very close and without him. Meh

[BobCarl]

I don't think Stafford was tired, sure a little.

I think Stafford tried to play a full season under McVay's style of offense while being protected by suspect O-line.

I'm tired just thinking about it.

[BobCarl]

I think in decent weather the Eagles could be beaten....

On any given ... (when the weather is a perfect "Southern California" climate) ... Sunday.

A World Championship for a team that won a playoff game in the part of the world that their team is based? That can't be a legitimate victory.

[AvengerRam]

“Stafford wants good money? Fine! Give it to him! Who are the best QBs in the NFL?”

Great, accept I don’t see the Rams paying STAFFORD what he obviously wants. I think he’s by far the best QB available and I would pay him but will the Rams? I don’t think so and Stafford won’t bend. His constant talk of retiring has killed any 2-3 yr deals but will he take a one year deal?

I have to disagree with DARA (the other poster) about signing Stafford at a time of transition. We were stacked with stars and missing only one piece. The “transition” was a self inflicted would and the price of going all in. I’d like to see Stafford here 2 more years. We very close and without him. Meh

When did he talk about retiring?

[ramsww]

When did he talk about retiring?

McVay seemed to think so before he publicly said he still has the fire and wants to play (somewhere) in 2025. Much of this comes filtered down from what Ram players, Coaches and reporters have heard in the past from Stafford, not to mentions numerous quotes from his wife. I don't think anyone doubts it's been at least a thought since winning a super bowl and getting paid. You don't think he's used it in negotiations?

"I don't think that's good for anybody": Rams HC Sean McVay Hopes Matthew Stafford Will End Retirement Speculation 'Sooner Than Later' Following a playoff exit, Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay is keen for clarity on quarterback Matthew Stafford's future.Jan 24, 2025

[Elvis]

"I don't think that's good for anybody": Rams HC Sean McVay Hopes Matthew Stafford Will End Retirement Speculation 'Sooner Than Later' Following a playoff exit, Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay is keen for clarity on quarterback Matthew Stafford's future.Jan 24, 2025

A quick Google search finds that bit in a Times of India article.

The clarity, i think, was about finding Stafford a contract adjustment he would accept.

If the Rams would guarantee Stafford the top QB going rate for a year or two, i think we're good. But early indications seem to be the Rams don't want to do that.

We'll see but the Rams have not been guaranteeing big money contracts like they used to. This has been going on for several years now, though KDot and Jonah Jackson got fairly big deals lasts year.

Pastoors did a talk for ST holders last year and one of the things he said was owners in general, Kroenke in particular, did not like having to escrow money for guaranteed contracts.

Whether that has any has any day to day consequences or whether it's just something he'd like the league to change one day, i have no idea...

[ziggy]

I don’t think Kroenke would be hurting for cash. Especially now that the league has allowed teams to seek money from private equity for giving up a sliver of the team.

I think the bigger issue is the Rams want to be set up for a run for SB LXI in 2027 and they aren’t sure MS will play a role in that. It’s gonna be a difficult year to navigate as a GM.