3 reasons why Rams should trade Matthew Stafford in 2025
Matthew Stafford and the Rams have had a great run together ever since the quarterback exchanged Detroit for Los Angeles. He won the Super Bowl in his first season and has returned to the playoffs several times. He is still one of the better quarterbacks in the league.
However, Matthew Stafford claimed that he was unsure about his future after the Divisional Round playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. That might give the Rams some pause on whether they want to bring him back in 2025. Here are some reasons Los Angeles might choose to move on from their current starting quarterback.
Why should Rams move on from Matthew Stafford?
#3 - Save on veteran QB's salary to rebuild
Matthew Stafford is a veteran quarterback and commands a salary commensurate with his stature. His current contract is worth $40 million but the way it was restructured means he was effectively playing on a one-year deal in 2024. It allows both the player and the team to go their separate ways in 2025 as Stafford waived many of his future guarantees. He currently has $4 million due in 2025 and $5 million due in 2026 as roster bonuses.
With Cooper Kupp also aging and injury-prone, the Rams might not have the personnel to carry a highly-paid quarterback while also building for the future. They might choose to let him and the wide receiver leave and find ways to become competitive in the long run.
#2 - Acquire draft picks for future
It is with that view that trading Matthew Stafford to a quarterback-needy team might make sense. Think of a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers or the New York Jets, who look as if they will be competitive if they just had the right player in that position. Currently, the market for the Rams' quarterback is still high given he led the team to the playoffs.
If the Rams go into a rebuild mode on offense, there is no guarantee that Matthew Stafford will be able to showcase the same form that he showed this year and that will undoubtedly affect his draft value. Trading him away right now allows them to gather draft picks, which they can use to build for the future. They have done well with just one first-round selection in the last three years but that is not a sustainable strategy going forward.
#1 - Matthew Stafford is turning 37
Before the Super Bowl is over, Matthew Stafford will be 37. There have been very few quarterbacks who have produced consistently at that age. There could be a precipitous drop coming. Letting him leave will not only save them money and give them draft picks, but the Rams can start planning for the next decade.
Stafford's roster bonus for this year kicks in on March 15. Therefore, any decision that the Rams might take will have to come before that. While there might not be a succession plan now, it is inevitable that one will have to be made for the aging quarterback. Los Angeles could choose to advance the process and begin it now.