49ers just made Rams Matthew Stafford's extension look like a massive bargain

The Los Angeles Rams won the NFC West Division in 2024 with a record of 10-7. But when it comes to quarterback rankings, laudatory praises, and even awards and honors, the NFL and NFL analysts seem to forget that the Rams exist, and that veteran QB Matthew Stafford is still king of the fourth-quarter comeback.

When it comes to the NFL, there is a bit of bias to moving away from the Grand Masters at the quarterback position, and embrace the next best rookie sensation who emerges out of college to lead a team to the NFL Playoffs. But getting to the playoffs is one thing. Winning a Super Bowl is an entirely other level.

Former Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford appeared in the playoffs three times over his tenure with the Lions.

The Los Angeles Rams and Matthew Stafford renegotiated his contract for 2025. He lost all three games, suffering a 0-3 record with the team before moving on to try again with the Los Angeles Rams. Of course, the Lions are led by former Rams quarterback Jared Goff. Goff led the Rams to compete in Super Bowl LIII before finding himself traded to the Detroit Lions.

Goff was 2-4 with the Rams in the NFL Playoffs. He is 2-2 with the Lions in the NFL Playoffs.

On, and just to clarify, Matthew Stafford is 5-2 with the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL Playoffs, including winning Super Bowl LVI.

Per Over The Cap, Stafford's revised contract remains a bargain.

Yes, Stafford is getting long in the tooth. He is 37 years old, and the Rams must make the appropriate adjustments to ensure he is just as healthy and effective in the postseason as he is in Week 1. That means better pass protection, a strong commitment to the running game, and ensuring that the team takes every bump and bruise seriously.

If the Rams do that, they will have the pole position at repeating as NFC West Division Champions.

But Brock Purdy got paid, too

The San Francisco 49ers have long been buoyed by the bargain basement contract price of starting quarterback Brock Purdy, the former Mr. Irrelevant from the 2022 NFL Draft. Purdy's cost for the 49ers over the past four seasons has been just under $8 million, averaging less than $2 million per year. Well, he's relevant now, having just inked a five-year $265 million contract extension.

That works out to $53 million APY.

Purdy is a career 4-2 in the NFL Playoffs, but remains winless in two Super Bowl appearance.

Now, with Purdy sucking $53 million out of the company's coffers each year, the San Francisco 49ers will face the same fiscal restraints that impact all other 31 NFL teams. Suffice it to say that it won't be as easy for the 49ers to repeat with multiple lucrative contracts to juggle.

Brock Purdy joins nine other 49ers teammates whose salary cap footprint in 2025 exceeds $5 million. And that appears to be the tipping point. You see, the 49ers had to purge their roster of highly-paid players to afford Purdy's extension, resulting in a massive exodus of talented veterans signing elsewhere.

And if you compare Purdy's average of $53 million APY to Stafford's $47 million, you can see why the Rams are thrilled at getting such a great deal. Stafford is coming off a 10-7 season and a 1-1 postseason despite a rib injury. Purdy is coming off a 6-11 season and has far fewer weapons at his disposal.

In four seasons with the Rams, Stafford has completed 65.7 percent of his passes for 14,700 yards, 95 touchdowns, and 44 interceptions. In three seasons with the 49ers, Purdy has completed 67.5 percent of his passes, but for 9,518 yards. 64 touchdowns and 27 interceptions. Stafford, while the older veteran, has been more effective.

You could argue that Purdy is entering the prime of his NFL career. Perhaps. But that is what the 49ers are paying for now. So he will have to do much more with far less. Over $51 million salary cap dollars per year now flow into his bank account, and it has to come from somewhere. It came from no more Deebo Samuel. It came from LG Aaron Banks. It came from LT Jaylon Moore. And it came from RBs Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason.

And that is just the start.

Yes, Brock Purdy deserved to be paid. But any time a rival fan base applauds a personnel action, it's time to pause and ponder. Rams fans are delighted in the 49ers' future financial woes now that Purdy is playing on a lucrative contract extension. More money for their quarterback means far less to spend elsewhere.

Purdy gets his payday. But all other NFC West Division teams are applauding the extension. Hmmm.

As always, thanks for reading.

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