There have been rumors circulating about the Los Angeles Rams potentially trading QB Matthew Stafford. While it’s unclear how reliable these reports are, Stafford’s wife made some interesting remarks on her podcast that hint a trade could be on the horizon. Stafford is looking for a contract extension, and if the Rams can’t agree to terms, they may consider moving him.

From both a strategic and financial perspective, there are solid reasons on both sides. The Rams showed they’re still contenders after nearly defeating the defending Super Bowl champions in the NFC Divisional Round. Keeping Stafford would be logical for a team that’s still capable of winning. However, with the decision to part ways with star receiver Cooper Kupp, the Rams seem to be shifting toward a long-term strategy. Given Stafford’s age at 37, trading him could align with that vision.

If the Rams are genuinely open to moving their Super Bowl-winning quarterback, the Steelers should strongly consider making a move. Here’s why:

Matthew Stafford will likely finish his career with the Rams, but if both sides agree to part ways, the Steelers should seize the opportunity. Among all potential quarterback options, Stafford would provide Pittsburgh the best chance to win right away.

Realistically, the Steelers are most likely to stick with either Justin Fields or Russell Wilson, with Fields being the more probable option due to his youth and lower cost.

However, neither quarterback seems capable of leading this team to a deep playoff run. Wilson’s sharp decline in Denver demonstrated why the Broncos were willing to absorb a massive cap hit just to move on, while Fields continues to struggle with the same inconsistencies that hindered his development in Chicago.

Sticking with Fields makes sense if Pittsburgh believes in his potential growth, but after almost 50 starts, he has yet to demonstrate the necessary development as a passer. Could he improve? Perhaps. But in the NFL, a sample size that large usually tells you one thing—you may not have what it takes to be a top-tier starting QB.

The Steelers have the cap space to facilitate a Stafford trade, and there are two key reasons why it makes sense:

Even at his current stage, Stafford is a considerable upgrade over both Fields and Wilson. In fact, he’d be the best quarterback Pittsburgh has had since Ben Roethlisberger retired. With a defense featuring T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, and Minkah Fitzpatrick, the Steelers are built to win now, and Stafford has already shown he can lead a team to postseason success—even with less-than-elite talent surrounding him.

A Stafford-led offense would make Pittsburgh’s passing attack much more potent, allowing them to compete with the AFC’s top quarterbacks. The Steelers didn’t hesitate to sign Russell Wilson despite his decline, so why not pursue Stafford, who has demonstrated in recent years that he can still perform at a high level, even as he ages? The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game in eight years—why not bring in a quarterback who’s proven he can deliver when it matters most?

Stafford is a potential Hall of Famer, and if the Steelers could trade for him and extend him for two seasons, they’d be in prime position to draft their next franchise quarterback in 2026. This would allow them to stay competitive in the short term while giving a young QB the time to develop under one of the best passers of the modern era.