Latest Matthew Stafford trade rumor update proves reality of the situation

Latest NFL rumors place new spin on a rapidly developing story

The last step that the Rams front office takes with any player contract dispute is to extend permission for that player's representation to explore trades with other NFL teams. There are multiple benefits for that approach. For openers, it settles the perception of grass being greener on the other side of the fence, as the player and agent have an opportunity to gauge what a true fair market value for the player's services might be.

If the agent feels that the team is low-balling his client, this afforded the opportunity to right-size any offer to a realistic fair market price. But it also creates a market for the player in a situation where neither side can reach common ground. The Rams took this approach with WR Desean Jackson, RB Cam Akers, and even WR Van Jefferson, to name a few examples. Unfortunately, all three examples resulted in the team parting ways with the player. One by outright release, two others by trade.

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So why do I believe that the Rams and Matthew Stafford have come to this final drastic step? On the Rich Eisen podcast, NFL Insider Tom Pelissero had a lot to share about Matthew Stafford's status:

But his biggest jaw-dropping revelation to the current situation came at the moment that he revealed that the Rams had given permission to Stafford's agent, Jimmy Sexton, to explore other teams interest in Stafford, and how they might be willing to compensate Stafford after successfully trading for the veteran:

"If you are trading for the guy, and it is going to be a significant pick, let()s just say you know it is going to be a second-round pick ... you are going to want to know, - am I getting this guy for one year, for two years, for three years? - and that is why the Rams have been willing to let Stafford()s agent, Jimmy Sexton, who is very experienced in these matters, to go out and just figure out what would other teams be willing to do"

NFL Insider Tom Pelissero

That changes the tone of the Rams off-season in several ways. How so? The very fact that the Rams were willing to extend that permission is a clear sign that the team is willing to move on from the veteran quarterback. If you are dating someone that you are head-over-heels in love with, you don't permit that person to date other people. If that happens, the relationship is already winding down.