Kelly Stafford Reacts to Matthew’s Return to Rams After Criticizing Team

After much speculation, Matthew Stafford is returning as the quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams, which could create some awkwardness for his wife, Kelly Stafford.

Matthew, 37, agreed to a restructured contract with the Rams on Friday, February 28, following meetings with the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants regarding their quarterback positions. According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the new deal will give Matthew a “substantial raise” from the $27 million he was initially set to earn next season.

Kelly celebrated the news on Instagram on Sunday, March 2, posting a picture of Matthew in Rams gear with his tongue sticking out. “No place like home. @rams,” Kelly wrote in the caption.

This announcement came weeks after Kelly expressed her frustrations with the Rams organization on her “The Morning After” podcast, following a report that the team was planning to trade wide receiver Cooper Kupp.

“I honestly wasn’t planning on talking about this, but why not?” Kelly said on the February 6 episode. “My husband wants to win. He’s not trying to put a team in a bad spot. If you’re picking up what I’m putting down, you’re getting it.”

Kelly continued, “Trading away Cooper, I’m confused. We were one play away from the NFC Championship. I believe if we made it, we win.”

The Rams were defeated 28-22 by the Philadelphia Eagles, the eventual Super Bowl champions, in the NFC Divisional Round on January 19.

“I have to be the protector here,” Kelly added. “I want the respect he deserves. Yes, I love Los Angeles. I love the city of L.A. But with that said, I do love an adventure.”

The Rams have yet to find a team willing to trade for Kupp, 31, who was drafted by Los Angeles in 2017.

Once it became clear there was no future for Kupp in L.A., his wife, Anna Marie, who has become close with Kelly since Matthew joined the Rams in 2021, posted a heartfelt message to the city.

“Los Angeles,” Anna Marie wrote on Instagram on February 3. “Married to the love of my life at 21, young and full of dreams, we could only imagine where this NFL journey would take us. A new adventure is on the horizon, with many unknowns. Excitement and nervousness hand in hand.”

She added, “I’m truly grateful for the last 9 years in this beautiful place we called home. Anxious yet excited to see where the next chapter unfolds. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who made it so hard to say goodbye. I love you, LA.”