Tom Brady delivers unorthodox strategy to lure Matthew Stafford to Raiders

There is far too much smoke surrounding NFL rumors of the Los Angeles Rams impasse of negotiations with veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford. We have all hoped for a peaceful resolution that results in Stafford smiling and returning to compete at the 2025 Rams training camp. Well, if you are still clinging to that hope, I have one recommendation for you. You may need to start that narrative with "Once upon a time . . ."

Quarterbacks Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford met many times on the football field, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries. But neither could foresee where that casual friendly exchange might lead the two sides. You see, Tom Brady has since retired from the NFL, and is exercising his minority ownership role with the Las Vegas Raiders to steer the team's offseason actions to recruit talented players for the team.

Right now, Brady is aiming for a blockbuster trade, and per NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, recent hosted Matthew Stafford at his home in Montana to ski and hear what Brady had to say about luring Stafford to the Raiders roster:

Of course, NFL Insider Ian Rapoport instantly shared an updated version of this narrative:

The Rams permitted Matthew Stafford to seek his best possible deal with other teams, and then reconvene with the Rams front office armed with what the market will bear for Stafford's services in 2025. So which teams have expressed interest in trading for Matthew Stafford? They are:

• Pittsburgh Steelers
• Cleveland Browns
• New York Giants
• Las Vegas Raiders
• Minnesota Vikings
• Indianapolis Colts

With 20 percent of NFL teams throwing their hat into the ring, the Rams can expect aggressive bidding for Stafford's services. And that typically leads to an inflated price tag. Or does it?

The Rams have a pattern of surrendering trade value to ensure that a player lands with an NFL team of his choosing. The trade of All-Pro DB Jalen Ramsey for a Round 3 pick and TE Hunter Long is just one example of that practice. So Brady's efforts to sell Matthew Stafford may not simply be to get Stafford on board to play for the Las Vegas Raiders, but if he convinces Stafford to consider the Raiders a top destination, he could lower the Rams asking price in any trade talks that might follow.

How do I know that Matthew Stafford and Tom Brady are discussing a possible trade? The only way that Matthew Stafford plays for the Las Vegas Raiders before 2027 is via trade with the Los Angeles Rams. The only reason that Stafford and Brady are even holding discussions is because the Rams permitted Stafford to talk with other teams.

The tell in this event is not that Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady is recruiting Stafford. It's not even the fact that the Raiders (like many NFL teams) are actively pursuing Stafford. It's the fact that Matthew Stafford seized the opportunity to spend time with Brady at his Montana mansion, ski, and talk shop. The Rams are not holding talks with any other quarterbacks at this time. And there truly is nothing wrong with Stafford's agent talking potential deals with NFL GMs.

But Matthew Stafford felt this discussion was so important that it needed his personal attendance and attention. Words can be construed to say anything. Actions are where the real messages are being sent. Right now, reported NFL rumors put Matthew Stafford and Tom Brady together.

The situation is not trending in the direction of Stafford returning to the Rams in 2025. But things can change quickly. Stay tuned. And as always, thanks for reading.

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