The Los Angeles Rams are heading into the 2024 season with high expectations after returning a majority of their core, including quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Stafford is coming off a strong 2023 campaign, leading the Rams back to the playoffs while showing that he can stay healthy and still perform as a top quarterback at age 36.
With that being the case though, Stafford made it known around the 2024 NFL Draft that he would like to rework his contract to add more guaranteed money.
Stafford is signed through 2026, but there’s only $15 million guaranteed in the final two years of his deal. With the way quarterbacks are being paid today, it is not surprising to see Stafford want more more guaranteed at this stage of his career, and he deserves it.
The Rams organization has stuck behind Stafford since acquiring him in 2021 and they will likely reward him by guaranteeing him contract, although that has not yet happened to this point.
Despite that, Stafford has still been present during Rams OTAs, helping his team get prepared for the 2024 season. When speaking to the media on Tuesday, head coach Sean McVay said there is no update on Stafford contract.
“Same as the last time that we spoke. We’re just keeping everything internally,” McVay said.
McVay did add, however, that the expectation is Stafford will be in attendance for mandatory minicamp that begins next week.
As a team leader, Stafford deserves a ton of respect and praise for putting the team first and not making his contract situation a big issue.
It’s unclear why the Rams have yet to reward him, especially since McVay recently said that he wants Stafford as his quarterback as long as he’s willing to play. The deal will likely get done at some point before the season though with both sides seemingly wanting it to happen.
C.J. Stroud shares high praise for Rams’ Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford play at this stage of his career has earned him a lot of respect across the league, most recently from Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Stroud recently shared high praise for Stafford, saying that he is one of the only quarterbacks he studies to pick up on things like sidearm, no-look throws. He also added that he believes Stafford would have more Super Bowl rings if he was given as much help in his career as Aaron Rodgers.
With a stacked roster on the Rams now, perhaps Stafford will have the chance to compete for his second ring in 2024.
