McVay on Matthew Stafford's final contract year: "We'll work through all those things"

The Los Angeles Rams were not in a great position one year ago. The willingness of starting quarterback Matthew Stafford to return for another NFL season hinged upon getting guaranteed money, something that was absent from his contract.

While the team and player did reach an agreement, the season that followed was arguably one of Stafford's best. And the NFL agreed, bestowing MVP honors on the girl-dad quarterback. Now the 38-year-old veteran is entering the final year of his contract.

Yes, he plans to be back. Based on last year's challenges, he will be seeking more financial incentives to return for 2026.

When asked to respond to Matthew Stafford's contract status in the current contract's final year, head coach Sean McVay confirmed that the team and player have some rough spots to smooth out:

"We've had great dialogue ... We'll work through all of those things"

Sean McVay re: Matthew Stafford contract

And there it is. Matthew Stafford, coming off an MVP season and on the final year of his contract, wants to revisit the current deal. It comes as no surprise, and may have been initiated by general manager Les Snead.

LA has no problem sweetening contracts for significant contributors.

Matthew Stafford's final year of contract dictates Rams next steps

It's been easy to be lulled to sleep over the LA Rams quarterback depth chart. Not only has the team enjoyed starting quarterback Matthew Stafford since 2021, but the team has backups in Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett since 2024.

Ah, but the times, they are a'changing...

ESPN NFL analyst Jeremy Fowler hints that Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur is strongly interested in signing free agent quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. That would instantly promote Stetson Bennett to LA's primary backup.

Uneasy over that scenario? Legendary Rams quarterback Jim Everett proposes that if Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is released, Los Angeles should make every effort to add him to the roster.

But no matter how you see the needs for 2026, there is the looming enigma of how to fill Matthew Stafford's vacated role, perhaps as early as 2027?

General manager Les Snead has to pivot from whether the team will address the quarterback situation in 2026 to how the team will address the quarterback situation. Right now, it appears that the need at quarterback is as urgent as ever.

As always, thanks for reading.