After the Los Angeles Rams avoided a potential holdout from quarterback Matthew Stafford, head coach Sean McVay appeared relieved.
McVay confirmed that Los Angeles reworked Stafford’s contract during a news conference on Tuesday and that he will report to training camp.
In 2022, Stafford signed a $160 million, four-year contract and took part in OTAs and minicamp. However, via ESPN’s Sarah Barshop, he informed the Rams in March that he desired a contract modification.
She went on to say that the 36-year-old had only $15 million in guaranteed earnings after this season. While McVay did not provide any specifics regarding the contract, he did state that it is not an extension and that both parties are content.
According to McVay, “it was ultimately geared toward finding a solution that really suits our team, but also accommodates some of the things that represent Matthew’s worth for us.”
“And we think we were able to do that,” they say. McVay clearly sees this as a victory. Even though Stafford is nearing the end of his career, he is still one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
In 15 games last season, he tossed for 3,965 yards and 24 scores, completing eighth in MVP casting a ballot. At this point in his career, the main question is whether or not he can stay healthy.
He went through the concussion protocol in 2022 and suffered a spinal cord contusion, which caused him to miss eight games. Stafford’s durability becomes a bigger problem given the Rams’ backup quarterback situation.
Due to his violation of the league’s policy regarding performance-enhancing drugs, Jimmy Garoppolo will miss the first two games of the season.
Stetson Bennett, in the interim, spent his newbie season on the non-football injury list. However, he should help Los Angeles reach the postseason once more in 2024 if he stays healthy.
