Matthew Stafford, the quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams, was traded from the Detroit Lions to the Rams in 2021, marking one of the NFL’s most significant trades in recent years.

Now, it seems another major trade may be needed to part ways with him.

Speculation surrounding Stafford’s future with the Rams has increased. With the team placing All-Pro wide receiver Cooper Kupp on the trade block, insiders suggest Stafford may also be available. However, Fox Sports insider Jordan Schultz reported that the Rams are likely to keep Stafford unless another team offers an exceptionally high price.

Rams Head Coach Wants Stafford to Stay Schultz’s report indicated that sources from the league believe Rams head coach Sean McVay and the organization want to retain Stafford, who is now 37. McVay orchestrated the trade in 2021 that saw Jared Goff leave for Detroit and Stafford come to L.A., which led to a Super Bowl win the following season.

Multiple teams have expressed interest in Stafford, according to Schultz, but the Rams are asking for a first-round pick. Given that other veteran quarterbacks may be available for less, Schultz predicts Stafford will remain with the Rams in 2025.

“Again, the Rams want him to stay (he also has a $49.3 million cap hit if released),” Schultz explained. “There’s been no indication that Stafford wants to leave, but this will remain one of the key narratives heading into free agency. Before then, Stafford’s agent and the Rams are scheduled to meet in Indianapolis to discuss a potential agreement.”

Rams Face Decision on Paying Stafford Schultz further mentioned that Stafford wants a new contract if he stays in Los Angeles, and it would come with a hefty price tag.

“Trading Stafford would cause a $45.3 million dead cap hit in 2025 and almost $23 million in 2026,” Schultz noted. “While Stafford is set to make under $30 million next season, he is asking for a contract with guarantees that would place him among the top 10 quarterbacks in the league.”

Although the Rams and Stafford are expected to negotiate a new deal, The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue reported that the team is hesitant to commit a large sum of money to a veteran quarterback with uncertain long-term prospects. Rodrigue mentioned that the Rams’ team is now built around young talent from the draft, and they want to avoid heavy financial commitments.

However, Rodrigue acknowledged that the Rams’ rapid rebuild after their Super Bowl victory has turned the team from a veteran-heavy roster into one centered around emerging stars. Stafford could be the ideal leader for another Super Bowl push, she argued.

“There are two main points: The Rams eventually need to find a long-term quarterback to grow with the roster and avoid limiting their ability to pay extensions for first- and second-year players (plus future quarterbacks),” Rodrigue wrote. “But their roster is now ready to contend earlier than anticipated, so why not bring back their elite quarterback for another shot?”