The Los Angeles Rams are looking into the future and might be willing to let Matthew Stafford walk away. The franchise has allowed its star quarterback to test the market and evaluate his options ahead of the 2025 season. His contract negotiations linger on though, while his availability on the market could set off a chain effect in the off-season. An analyst, however, believes that if Stafford wants to stay in LA, he should settle for less money.
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Since getting drafted by the Lions in 2009, Stafford has signed five contract extensions and deals across his time in Detroit and LA. His career earnings stand at an astonishing $364.3 million. The Lions contributed $219 million of that while he has so far earned $145 million in LA.
John Middlekauff thinks the QB should stay put in LA and not chase more money since he’s already “really, really rich.” Stafford should, instead, take the Brady route and settle for less money in favor of winning, felt the analyst.
After wasting“over a decade” at an “almost irrelevant franchise and losing constantly”, the analyst believes the QB’s best interest lies in staying put. He has, after all, “made Peyton Manning-level money”. For the record, Manning’s current net worth stands at around $250 million. The point is that with money in the bank, Stafford should prioritize a team’s potential for victory now.
“It doesn’t get any better than the Rams. I would have stopped this conversation. I will do whatever it takes. Let’s do a two-year deal for like $40 million guaranteed every penny. I want to be here. I’m going to go Brady,” said Middlekauff on the Colin Cowherd Podcast.
The Rams too are proving to be tough negotiators with Matt since they have already learned their lessons about paying big money to an aging QB.
The Rams aren’t letting Stafford pull one over on them
Stafford was in his prime when he landed in LA in 2021. Now he is nearing his 40s. He’s still better than most QBs in the league but signs of wear and tear are there. Giving the 37-year-old a big contract wouldn’t be a wise decision for the Rams. They have already burnt their fingers from the Todd Gurley situation.
“The Rams are tough to negotiate with. Early on in their tenure with [General Manager] Les [Snead] and Sean [McVay], they signed a deal they regretted with Todd Gurley. The Stafford thing, they have been tough with him. We will give you a couple extra million, but we are not giving you 2 years of $100 million,” Middlekauff added.
According to the analyst, both the Rams and Stafford have a bargaining chip. The franchise knows that UGA alum likes playing for them and wants to stay. The QB knows that he can get more money because there aren’t a lot of shot-callers out there who would work in McVay’s system while taking hits in the pocket.
And, Stafford’s options are also limited. So, should he stop trying to drive a hard bargain and accept a lesser deal because he has already made so much in his career? It’s a personal call, but then winning should be a priority for the aging quarterback at this stage of his career.
