Looks like MVP Matthew Stafford just answered Rams fans prayers

It's an annual tradition that fans of the Los Angeles Rams may be uncomfortable with, but will become the standard for the foreseeable future. To prevent the team from holding the bag for an aging player who could opt to retire at any time, Los Angeles has undertaken a contract that is renegotiated annually. That just happened for the 2026 season.

While nobody expected these negotiations to fail, it added a bit of uncertainty to an otherwise surefire Stafford return. Worse still, this is just the first of 25 potential contract 'extensions' stacking up on general manager Les Snead's desk. And with this agreement, the front office can begin whittling away at that stack of player extensions.

Forget the language about a new two-year deal. This is a one-year deal in its entirety. The 'additional' year is present merely to protect the team's interests to ensure no other NFL team can swoop in with a ridiculously overpriced offer to Poach Stafford away.

Nothing, and everything, changed for Rams and Stafford

Unlike the nearly adversarial contract negotiations, this year's exercise between the LA Rams and Matthew Stafford's agent seems relatively friendly. There was no talk of trading the NFL MVP, not any hints or rumors that a trade was an acceptable Plan B.

Even the selection of rookie quarterback Ty Simpson was met with a 'grumpypants' Sean McVay, who repeatedly stated: "This is Matthew Stafford's team."

Let's be crystal clear. From the moment Stafford stated during his MVP-acceptance speech that he would return to LA, he was seeking additional financial incentives from the team to do so. What was not stated, but understood, is that it is something the two sides would be committed to annually.

Long-term planning around Stafford in the pocket is no more. That's not to say that the team won't try to restock the roster to Stafford's liking. But the idea that the team will enter into long-term contracts with players who may resonate with Stafford is unlikely. LA may seek to build an offense to Stafford's liking, but they must keep the future in sight as well.

Stafford's return answers the prayers of Rams fans worldwide. But this is just one more chapter, not a brand new tale. While everything has changed for 2026, nothing has changed the course of this football team. It's steady as she goes.

As always, thanks for reading.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow