1 small detail puts Rams - Stafford contract renegotiation into perspective

Stafford wants rigid guarantees

The revelation that is driving me to craft this article is something that hit me when I was doing background research for an article describing how ESPN NFL Insider Adam Stafford hinted at how the Rams would have the option to sign QB Aaron Rodgers to a team-friendly deal if their negotiations with Matthew Stafford fall through.

At the time, I was a bit perturbed over the concept that the Rams find themselves in. After all, the team crafted a contract to make Matthew Stafford an independently wealthy man and the terms of that deal are still in effect until 2026. So why should the LA Rams, or any team for that matter, willingly walk back to a negotiating table and almost certainly emerge with more money and guaranteed salary ending up in Stafford's hands.

What could drive Stafford to take that position?

After winning Super Bowl LVI with the team, Stafford has run aground of some bad luck recently. Well, recently means that he has been injured for each of the past several years. And that is a strong motivation to want guarantees. Let's revisit Stafford's tenure with the Rams:

• 2021 - 17 games | 404/601 passes | 4,886 Yds | 41 TDs | 17 INTs | No injuries
• 2022 - 9 games | 206/303 passes | 2,087 Yds | 10 TDs | 8 INTs | Bruised spinal cord
• 2023 - 15 games | 326/521 passes | 3,965 Yds | 24 TDs | 11 INTs | Injured thumb
• 2024 - 16 games | 340/517 passes | 3,762 Yds | 20 TDs | 8 INTs | Injured ribs

Is it any wonder that Matthew Stafford had to take a moment, catch his breath, and be sure that he wanted to come back to play NFL football in 2025? Check out his injury history. Even the injured thumb injury to his throwing hand in 2023 could have been far worse if the damage had been more severe.

Matthew Stafford is a starting quarterback for good reason. Even as his body continues to suffer wear and tear, he remains a savvy and seasoned quarterback who is the master at deception, throwing to a spot in the football field flawlessly even as his eyes lead defensive backs in the opposite direction.

And everyone on the team, and even many NFL analysists, acknowledge that fact:

Matthew Stafford wants to play. But imagine the horror that he faces in a future that could find him in a hospital bed trying to heal and learning that he has been released from the team. Worse yet, traded to a non contender. I cannot fathom the stress of suffering physical injuries annually, and then not knowing whether the checks will continue to come if I get injured.

Stafford is simply doing what every bread-winner has done since the age of time, taking a stand to ensure that he and his family are provided for today, and tomorrow. I get that. It certainly hasn't helped that he has faced season-threatening injuries in each of the past three NFL seasons.

Right now, he has no reason to believe that his injury streak will stop in year four. And if I were Stafford, I'd be reluctant to put myself into a situation in which I could find myself injured, and unemployed.