NFL players typically sign two or three contracts during their careers, though some, like Matthew Stafford from the Rams, might have a few more. NFL teams, on the other hand, are well-versed in handling contracts. They understand the market, the trends, and—most importantly—know their players well.
It seems that Stafford was always inclined to stay with the Rams. His discussions with the Raiders and Giants may have just been a strategy to negotiate a better deal for 2025. The Rams likely expected this. It makes sense they allowed him to explore other options. If they believed Stafford wasn’t going to leave for a team with weaker talent, why not let him have those conversations? It presents the Rams as generous and understanding, almost like the saying goes: “If you love something, set it free.” But it’s easier to let go when you’re confident it won’t really go anywhere.
While we don’t know the exact offers from the Raiders and Giants, reports suggest they were close to a two-year, $100 million deal. Rams coach Sean McVay mentioned recently that Stafford’s current contract is for one year, but they’ll review his situation next year. McVay joked about the timeline, saying, “Last year, it took about seven months. This year, about three weeks. Maybe it’ll be about two or three days next year if we have to do this.”
Last season, Stafford didn’t see much change in his contract. This year, it’s thought that the Rams were ready to increase his pay from $27 million to around $36 million, but eventually raised it to $40 million after Stafford attracted interest from other teams.
The Rams seemed confident in their offer, even though it was lower than what Stafford could have received elsewhere. They likely knew he would consider staying with them. We will share the final details of Stafford’s contract when we have them. Even with his performance, which would typically demand a figure starting with a 5, it seems he might settle for something closer to 4 instead—possibly around $40 million for this year, with future terms still to be decided.
