The Los Angeles Rams are gearing up for another playoff push in 2025, and their schedule only adds to the excitement that’s been building since free agency and the draft. Quarterback Matthew Stafford described one particular matchup as a “fun battle.”

That game will be against his former team, the Detroit Lions, who selected Stafford as the No. 1 overall pick in 2007 before trading him to the Rams in 2021.

The two teams will meet in Los Angeles during Week 15 for the third time since Stafford’s trade.

Stafford holds a 1-2 record in these games, including a loss in the 2024 playoffs. He has dropped two straight contests against Detroit since joining the Rams. Despite this, Stafford is eager to face the 2024 NFC Champions in 2025, expecting the game to be “fun.”

Stafford praised Lions head coach Dan Campbell, who took over the year Stafford was traded, and quarterback Jared Goff, who was part of the trade.

He also noted the “challenge” of losing multiple coordinators this offseason.

“Dan and Jared have done a great job over the last few years turning things around,” Stafford said on NFL Network on May 14, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. “They’re playing excellent football. They lost some coordinators, and that’s a challenge. Every season is a new season, and we’ve had some great matchups against them. It’ll be interesting playing them at home in December. It’ll definitely be a good battle.”

The Rams are coming off a stronger playoff performance than the Lions, who lost to the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Wild Card Round. Stafford and the Rams pushed the eventual Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, to the limit in the NFC Divisional Round.

Although the Rams have lost some key personnel this offseason, they retain the most important pieces in Stafford and head coach Sean McVay.

Still, early predictions have the Rams winning over ten games in 2025.

The Rams will approach this season a bit differently, especially after cutting Cooper Kupp, who failed to find a trade partner, and signed with NFC West rival Seattle Seahawks in free agency.

Stafford and Kupp grew close during their time together in Los Angeles, and Stafford has stayed in touch, texting Kupp to “check in.”

“He’s just a few miles away in a different jersey, but when we talk and text, it’s like old times, giving each other a hard time,” Stafford said, per NFL.com’s Nick Shook. “I asked him if I’ll be able to say ‘what’s up’ pregame, and he said, ‘I’m going to give you a big bear hug.’”

“I’m excited. Obviously, it’s tough when you’ve had that much success with someone, but when you’ve played long enough, you understand it’s part of the business, and he gets that too.”

Stafford said he’ll be “happy to see” Kupp and hopes he “plays great.” However, he’s determined for the Rams to win both meetings in Weeks 11 and 16.

The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue believes Kupp will “bring it” against his former team.

“If former Rams star receiver Cooper Kupp can stay healthy in the season’s latter half, he’ll surely bring his best against Los Angeles in both matchups,” Rodrigue wrote on May 14. “Seattle’s defense also improved over time last year and should be tough in 2025.”

The Rams have signed Davante Adams to replace Kupp. Adams, who was once Stafford’s nemesis with the Green Bay Packers, is seen as an upgrade for the Rams, and Stafford is thrilled about it.

Stafford described Adams as “great” and said he’s been a “fan” of the six-time Pro Bowler “for a long time.”

Adams’ play on the field speaks for itself, but Stafford has also been impressed by his professionalism.

“Getting to work with him every day, throwing to him, seeing what kind of professional he is—he fits right in,” Stafford said, per Shook. “I’ve been fortunate to throw to many guys who take the game seriously, and he’s no different. We’re excited to have him, and I feel lucky to throw to him.”

This is a testament to Rams general manager Les Snead, who referred to Stafford’s contract restructuring as a “renewal of vows.”

Stafford is ready to uphold his end of the deal, saying he feels “good” but must “prove it.”