The Los Angeles Rams accomplished their biggest goal of the offseason by agreeing to a restructured contract with Matthew Stafford to keep him around as their starting quarterback for 2025.
The Rams had given Stafford permission to discuss contract terms with other teams as a way to gauge his value. The Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants were among those said to have legitimate interest in trading for the veteran quarterback.
Stafford will instead return to the Rams for a fifth season after a promising year in which the team was only a couple plays away from advancing to the NFC Championship Game.
As news broke that Stafford and the Rams agreed to a new contract, Puka Nacua shared a video of his reaction from an airport:
Lets do it!! Love ya 9 pic.twitter.com/NT8b0F3yHb
— Puka Nacua (@AsapPuka) February 28, 2025
“I just barely missed my flight to Salt Lake City but we just signed Matthew Stafford,” Nacua said. “Number nine is back.”
It’s easy to see why Nacua is excited to have Stafford back as the Rams quarterback. The 23-year-old has quickly established himself as one of the best wide receivers in the NFL with Stafford under center.
Nacua is coming off another solid year that saw him catch 79 passes for 990 receiving yards and three touchdowns in only 11 games.
While Nacua is happy that Stafford is returning to the Rams, he previously expressed disappointment about the likelihood of Cooper Kupp playing elsewhere next season.
Nacua thanked Kupp for everything he has done for him and said he wants to take on more of a leadership role in 2025 with the veteran’s expected departure.
Rams signing Alaric Jackson to three-year contract extension
Matthew Stafford isn’t the only key player coming back to the Rams next season. According to multiple reports, the team reached an agreement with left tackle Alaric Jackson on a three-year contract extension.
The 26-year-old was set to reach free agency this month, but the Rams will instead get back their franchise left tackle for the foreseeable future.
The Rams will likely look to add some depth to their offensive line in the NFL Draft, but it is no longer a pressing need now that Jackson is back.
The odd man out is Jonah Jackson, who was granted permission by the team to seek a trade after a disappointing 2024 season in which he started only four games and missed time due to injury.
