Former Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has not yet made a final call on whether he’ll continue his NFL career or walk away, but the Los Angeles Rams are already planning for another championship push if he decides to suit up again.

Stafford considered retirement after last season before ultimately returning on a two-year deal that allowed him flexibility to reassess his future. League sources believe the veteran signal-caller is leaning toward playing another year, and Rams general manager Les Snead has made it clear the organization is prepared to maximize whatever time Stafford has left.

Rams Bracing for Stafford’s Decision

Snead acknowledged this week that the Rams understand Stafford may only have a limited number of elite seasons remaining and want to capitalize while they can. Los Angeles reached the NFC Championship Game but came up short against division rival Seattle, though Snead expressed confidence that a return to the top is realistic if Stafford comes back.

“There’s always a long-term plan,” Snead said, according to the Orange County Register. “But if Matthew chooses to return, the balance shifts a little more toward urgency. He’s still showing he can play at a very high level, and there aren’t many seasons like that left. Those are opportunities you don’t want to waste.”

Last offseason, Stafford waited until March 1 to confirm his return, but Snead hinted the timeline could move faster this year, noting ongoing communication between the two sides.

“We’ve had good discussions,” Snead said. “Now it’s about giving him time to rest, recharge, and decide whether he wants to jump back in and chase something special together again.”

With a solid roster already in place and plenty of cap space to strengthen it further, the Rams are widely viewed as a team capable of making serious noise in 2026 if Stafford remains under center.

Lions Standing Firm with Goff

The high-profile trade that sent Stafford to Los Angeles in 2021 paid dividends for both franchises. The Rams captured a Super Bowl immediately, while Detroit rebuilt into a contender behind quarterback Jared Goff. Although the Lions failed to reach the postseason this year after winning the NFC North in back-to-back seasons, the organization remains confident in its quarterback.

Following Detroit’s playoff elimination in December, head coach Dan Campbell publicly reaffirmed the team’s trust in Goff and its belief in a bounce-back season.

“Jared Goff is the real deal,” Campbell said on 97.1 The Ticket. “We’re lucky to have him. He wins games in this league, and he played excellent football all year.”

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