The Los Angeles Rams agreed to terms with Matthew Stafford to bring him back for the 2025 NFL season, but just how much longer does the veteran quarterback have with the Rams? Heck, how much longer does he have in football in general?
Now 38 years old and dealing with back issues throughout training camp, it has become increasingly obvious that Stafford is reaching the end of his NFL tenure. The possibility of retirement has been floated for the former Super Bowl champion, and it’s also becoming very clear that Los Angeles is preparing to move on.
More news: San Francisco 49ers Could Make Stunning WR Decision
How? Well, ESPN’s Dan Graziano outlined LA’s likely strategy in a recent piece, noting that the Rams have positioned themselves to draft a quarterback next spring.
“The Rams had a tough time coming to an agreement with him on this year’s contract, even entertaining trade talks before he agreed to his restructured deal in February,” Graziano wrote. “So they know this arrangement isn’t forever. Their first-round trade with the Falcons in this year’s draft leaves them with two first-rounders in 2026, so they’re positioned to address the quarterback situation that way if they so choose.”
The 2026 draft class is widely viewed as an incredibly deep one for quarterback talent, so it stands to reason that Los Angeles may find its long-term answer under center next April. So what does that mean for Stafford?
Well, it’s entirely possible that Stafford himself envisions 2025 as his last hurrah, so replacing him might not even be an issue for the Rams.
More news: Cincinnati Bengals Linked to Potential WR Trade
We also need to keep in mind that Los Angeles is actually a pretty young team overall, so it is definitely built well for an incoming rookie quarterback in 2026.
Stafford was still productive last year, throwing for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions. However, he isn’t quite the elite passer he once was, and with injuries mounting, the writing seems to be on the wall for Stafford in Hollywood.
For more on the Rams and NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.
The post Rams Have Clearly Positioned Themselves for a QB Change appeared first on Newsweek.
