Kelly Stafford vents about lack of respect as NFL Rumors heat up over Rams QB

Why this complicates the Rams contract negotiations

The Los Angeles Rams football organization may be tough negotiators when it comes to the dollars and cents involved in contract negotiations, but I don't know of any NFL team that bends further over backward when it comes to giving players the best landing spot with a new team. We can spend several slides discussing how the team has settled for a paltry return because their first priority has always been trading a player to a team that they want to play for.

One shining example of that was the Rams trading former All-Pro DB Jalen Ramsey to the Miami Dolphins in his prime for the return of a Round 3 pick and TE Hunter Long. Some speculated that Ramsey would net a Round 1 plus picks. But he wanted the Dolphins, and that was their offer. C'est la vis.

At the moment, the only Rams player not facing an expiring contract who is on the trading block is veteran WR Cooper Kupp. And with those trade negotiations hopefully getting started, you can look for plenty of derisive leaks by unnamed NFL coaches and general managers, with the sole purpose of discouraging competition and driving down Kupp's asking price. Such as this one:

But let's pivot to the upcoming Matthew Stafford contract negotiations.

Why Kelly Stafford's venting is not good for anyone

It's no secret that the LA Rams and veteran QB Matthew Stafford are not close on terms that will compel Stafford to show up at training camp right now. The team and Stafford wrestled for months on resetting contract terms in 2024, eventually agreeing to place all guaranteed dollars in 2024, and hope for better negotiations in 2025.

But the negotiations have already taken a turn for the worse when the team's plans to trade Cooper Kupp, Stafford's close friend, became public. Stafford's initial reaction to NFL rumors of Kupp's imminent trade is entirely predictable. But even before the two sides settle in for tough negotiations, there are many areas that the team must address simultaneously.

The ultimate litmus test for the Rams to undertake that level of effort to rework Stafford's contract comes down to this: Do the Rams believe that Stafford wants to play for the team?

That is an important distinction to make. If this is just about the money, and the guy already has one foot out the door and into retirement, that is not good for anyone. And it's certainly not the type of thought process that will motivate the Rams negotiating team to find common ground for their projected 2025 starting quarterback. Stafford wants financial security for his family, and I get that. But what security do the Rams have if he decides to retire right now?

While the Rams may not be primarily focused on an offensive rebuild right now, they have to be prepared to pull the trigger on one nonetheless. Stafford's biggest weapon in contract negotiations is to lure the team into guaranteed money and then retire. The Rams have to be prepared for that strategy.

Like it or not, Kelly Stafford is exposing her husband's tone and strategy by venting publicly. The team will not hold the Staffords hostage in 2025, compelling Matthew Stafford to play for the team against his will. While a trade scenario was remote before Kelly Stafford vented publicly on her podcast, I suspect that scenario is much more likely now.

The Rams want players on the roster who want to play for this team. If Kelly Stafford loves the thought of an adventure of being traded to a new NFL team, that could very likely be the outcome. Be cafeful what you wish for, you just may get it.

As always, thanks for reading.

More Rams News, Rumors, Draft, and Analysis

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow