Matthew Stafford, the veteran quarterback who currently plays for the Los Angeles Rams and previously played for the Detroit Lions, began his NFL career in 2009.

As a seasoned player, he is accustomed to this part of the season when teams sometimes choose to rest their key starters.

Now, Rams head coach Sean McVay has made a decision about Stafford’s participation in the team’s Week 18 game against the Seattle Seahawks. This game will take place at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5.

On Friday, January 3, McVay announced to the media that Stafford would not be playing in the upcoming game.

According to the injury report released on that day, Stafford is marked as inactive, but McVay emphasized that this decision is “not injury-related.”

It’s not unexpected that McVay has decided to rest Stafford for this game.

The Rams have already secured a playoff spot and currently sit at the top of the NFC West.

With the postseason fast approaching, McVay wants to ensure his star players are in optimal condition for the playoff run.

Stafford, 36, was originally drafted by the Detroit Lions as the first overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.

The Lions selected him after a standout college career at the University of Georgia. In 2021, Stafford was traded to the Rams in a major deal that saw quarterback Jared Goff and several draft picks go to Detroit in exchange.

McVay spoke to reporters before practice on Friday and reflected on the team’s overall health.

“Fortunately for us, we’ve been relatively healthy,” he said. However, McVay acknowledged that there have been some challenges, particularly with the offensive line.

Despite some injuries, McVay clarified that the players involved would be able to play if the game were considered a normal, high-stakes match.

As a result, the coaching staff has opted to be cautious with those players, as well as with some of the skill position players who have logged significant playing time.

Stafford has built a long and successful career, not only in Detroit but also with the Rams.

He’ll be turning 37 in February, and many NFL analysts and fans have started speculating about when he might consider retirement.

When Stafford does decide to step down, the Rams will have a key decision to make regarding his replacement.

One potential option to succeed Stafford could be injured Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, according to Blaine Grisak of Turf Show Times. McCarthy, who has been sidelined with an injury, is considered a possible future star.

During McCarthy’s rookie season, he learned under Kevin O’Connell, who was the Rams’ offensive coordinator before taking the Vikings’ head coaching job.

O’Connell’s offensive system is a variation of the McVay-Shanahan scheme, which McCarthy would already be familiar with if he joined the Rams.

Grisak also noted that the relationship between McVay and O’Connell could facilitate a trade between the two teams, should the Rams pursue McCarthy.

The two coaches have a history of collaborating on trades, most notably in the trade for running back Cam Akers.

Regardless of whether McCarthy is in the Rams’ plans, it is clear that the team will need to address its quarterback situation in the upcoming offseason.

Backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s contract is expiring soon, and Stetson Bennett will be entering his third year with the team.

As Stafford’s career continues into his late 30s, the Rams may need to consider preparing for life after him.

Grisak believes McCarthy would be a strong candidate to step into the role, noting that he could fit well within the Rams’ offensive scheme and provide a smooth transition for the team.