The Los Angeles Rams recently signed Matthew Stafford to a one-year, $55 million contract extension that keeps him under team control through the 2027 season.
According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Stafford will receive a base salary of $40 million this year with other incentives and bonuses that could bring the total amount to $50 million.
If Stafford extends his career beyond the 2026 season, he will be in line for another raise next year as well:
Under the two-year deal he signed last year, Stafford was set to make $40 million this year ($16 million base, $24 million roster bonus). Under the terms of the new deal, he’ll bank at least $45 million. He gets $40 million in base pay, and there’s a $5 million roster bonus that’s guaranteed and due early next year, meaning it’s basically a bonus for this year that’s paid next year. That $45 million number puts him past the $44 million he made in 2025.
There are $5 million in playoff incentives that can push his pay to $50 million.
Stafford gets $45 million in base pay for 2027, with another $5 million roster bonus due in early 2028—none of that is guaranteed right now, but all of it will vest and become fully guaranteed in March, turning the 2028 bonus into another de facto deferred payment.
He has another $5 million in playoff incentives for 2027 as well.
Add it up and it’s a one-year, $55 million extension, which puts Stafford in line with what quarterbacks such as Justin Herbert, Jordan Love and Tua Tagovailoa got a couple summers ago. And if Stafford maxes out the deal, it’ll be a two-year, $115 million contract. So while this isn’t quite a “nothing to see here” situation, it’s more an update to the deal the Rams gave Stafford last year after allowing him to explore a trade than it is any kind of big splash.
The deal seems to be a win-win for both Stafford and the Rams. The veteran quarterback will make near top-of-the-market money while L.A. keeps their Super Bowl window open for at least another two years.
The Rams also protected themselves by only guaranteeing Stafford a portion of the full $55 million he could make next year, which would become dead money if he decides to retire after the 2026 season.
Should Stafford return to the Rams in 2027, both sides likely won’t have to do much renegotiating as the structure of the contract is already in place.
Sean McVay could sense Matthew Stafford wanted to keep playing
The Rams getting a new deal done with Stafford isn’t a surprise to head coach Sean McVay, as he could sense early on in the offseason that he wanted to keep playing beyond the 2026 season. They will now get the chance to continue their partnership for at least two more seasons, getting two more cracks at another Super Bowl.
