Ex-Lions QB Matthew Stafford Passed on Huge Payday to Remain with Rams
Matthew Stafford has officially inked a new deal with the Los Angeles Rams, and the details shed light on a significant decision he made.
Having already experienced a major change in 2021 when he was traded from the Detroit Lions to the Rams, Stafford decided he wasn’t ready for another move.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, two teams reportedly offered Stafford deals that would have paid him around $50 million annually—placing him among the NFL’s highest-paid quarterbacks. However, Stafford declined those offers, opting instead to stay with the Rams for less money in order to keep his family settled in Los Angeles.
Loyalty to L.A.
Breer noted that the Rams had allowed Stafford to explore trade and contract options earlier in the year. Still, they believed his ties to the life he had built in Southern California, particularly with his four children and his relationship with coach Sean McVay, would ultimately keep him in Los Angeles.
“The Rams wagered that Stafford’s commitment to his family’s stability and his bond with McVay would outweigh financial incentives,” Breer explained. “That assumption turned out to be right.”
Instead of chasing a higher salary elsewhere, Stafford signed a two-year extension worth $84 million. Breer reported that the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders had shown strong interest and were ready to offer deals that started at $50 million per season, but Stafford stayed put.
Rams Double Down on Veteran Leadership
Leading up to the extension, there had been debate over whether the Rams would pursue a younger quarterback or continue with Stafford. Since their 2021 Super Bowl victory, the franchise had undergone a quick rebuild, trimming expensive contracts and bringing in young talent—culminating in a playoff run to the NFC divisional round last season.
Ultimately, the Rams chose continuity and leadership in Stafford, who led them to a championship just a few years ago. Head coach Sean McVay shared his optimism about Stafford’s future with the team, stating he believes the veteran QB still has multiple strong seasons left.
“Every time he’s under center, we have a shot,” McVay said in an interview on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio. “It’s a joy to coach him, and I hope we keep it going for a few more years.”
McVay also highlighted how open and honest communication between the two played a big role in finalizing the deal.
“When you truly care about someone, tough conversations can either create distance or strengthen your connection,” McVay said. “And in our case, it brought us closer. There’s a lot of mutual respect and appreciation in how we worked everything out.”
