Both the Los Angeles Rams’ veterans and rookies have reported to training camp, signaling the next major step toward the upcoming 2024 season.
Unlike last year, head coach Sean McVay and his coaching staff have a better grasp on their roster as they have several more returners who have already been integrated. After using the 2023 season to rediscover itself, the Rams should be able to get off to a stronger start in 2024.
One of the few roster questions heading into training camp is the status of Matthew Stafford and his contract situation. Stafford approached Los Angeles earlier in the offseason and requested more guaranteed money on his deal, though no progress was made.
However, it appears that the two sides have reached a resolution as McVay confirmed that they found common ground in negotiations ahead of the start of training camp, via the team’s official X account:
“Ultimately, here’s what I would say right now is that there was a lot of great dialogue that existed between myself and Matthew, between Jimmy Sexton, Tony Pastoors, Kevin (Demoff), Les (Snead) and ultimately it was all geared toward finding a solution that really suits our team but also accommodates some of the things that represent Matthew’s worth for us and we feel like we were able to do that,” McVay said. “That was always the goal in mind and that’s where we’re at and we’re excited about that.”
McVay also confirmed that Stafford will be present for the start of training camp:
“Sometimes those deadlines or what have you…but ultimately all we can do is the next right thing. I’m grateful that we’re in this position, but yes, that is what the delay was for. Grateful that we came to this solution that I think we all wanted and now we can focus on this team and him being able to lead the way and a lot of exciting things to potentially be in store.”
McVay has kept the matter of Stafford’s contract in-house, though now it sounds like the quarterback will be taken care of financially. McVay also stressed that they didn’t extend him, and thus the veteran still has two years left on his current deal.
The matter never seemed serious from the get-go as Los Angeles has been open about its admiration for Stafford, so now they can move on and focus on the upcoming season.
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