Even though the Los Angeles Rams drafted Ty Simpson in the first round, they have made it clear that it is still Matthew Stafford’s team as long as he wants to continue playing.
They backed up those words by signing Stafford to a contract extension that goes through next season. This year’s negotiation went a lot more swimmingly than previous years, and he was happy to get that done, via Stu Jackson of TheRams.com:
“It was good (to be able to get that done),” Stafford said. “I obviously have a ton of respect for our team and our organization. Happy to have next year taken care of if I decide to play and they still want me back. But no, just excited to get that behind me because I just want to come out here and play and not think about that kind of stuff. So great to get that done sooner rather than later.”
While Stafford is coming off his best season in which he was named NFL MVP, he is entering his 18th season. Despite being 38 years of age, Stafford’s body is feeling good as he gets ready for another year:
“I feel good. Body feels good,” said the 38-year-old quarterback, who is preparing for his 18th NFL season. “Throwing it like I know how to throw it and for somebody my age, I feel pretty good.”
Even though he signed the contract extension though, the former No. 1 overall pick emphasized that he will continue to take things one year at a time:
“I can’t sit there and tell you what it’s going to look like 365 days from now. If you can, let me know (laughter),” Stafford said. “But it’s just one of those deals where I’m doing the best I can to make sure that I can play as long as I can and make sure that my family and I are all on the same page before we embark on whatever season it may be.”
As long as Stafford is playing at or near an MVP level, it is hard to see him hanging up his cleats. He is obviously not going to play forever though, and the Rams have already begun planning for the future by drafting Simpson.
Matthew Stafford looking forward to mentoring Ty Simpson
There doesn’t appear to be any awkwardness between Stafford and Simpson as the Rams quarterback made it clear that he is a fan of the rookie and is looking forward to mentoring him.
