Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead told reporters on Tuesday that the team is making progress on a contract extension with quarterback Matthew Stafford. He said there should be no drama. However, there is no timeline for when the extension will be done.
Stafford was also at the team’s facilities for the start of the offseason program, which could be a sign of confidence that a new deal will get done soon.
Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters in March that the team has had great dialogue with Stafford and that they will work things out. The Rams could also plan on not giving Stafford all of the reps in training camp or preseason, given his age and injury history, according to ESPN’s Sarah Bishop.
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Contract negotiations have become an annual tradition for Matthew Stafford and the Rams. The team re-signed Stafford to a two-year, $84 million contract last May. Stafford was set to earn $58 million over the two years of his previous deal. The New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders showed interest in Stafford before he was able to agree to a new contract.
Stafford is looking to once again renegotiate his contract heading into the final year of his deal. Last offseason, McVay said he hopes Stafford plays a few more years but that the situation will be handled year to year.
Despite being 38 years old, Stafford continues to improve with age. Last season, he threw for 4,707 yards, a career-high 46 touchdowns and 8 interceptions, winning his first career MVP award in the process. Stafford said he will return to the Rams next season after accepting the award.
Since joining the Rams in 2021, Stafford has won a Super Bowl and has made the playoffs in four of his five seasons in Los Angeles.
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With Stafford’s age and former backup Jimmy Garoppolo reportedly considering retirement, this could be the year the Rams are forced to acquire a younger option at the position, something McVay has not ruled out since last offseason. Outside of Stafford, 2023 fourth-round pick Stetson Bennett is the only other quarterback on the Rams’ roster.
Rams All-Pro wide receiver Puka Nacua was also reportedly present for the first day of the offseason program after voluntarily checking into a holistic care facility in March.