NFL Combine begins to shake out contenders from pretenders for Matthew Stafford

There has been a lot of information shared recently over NFL rumors of the Los Angeles Rams and veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford. But before jumping in headfirst to even MORE updates, this may be an excellent opportunity to hit the pause button, and explore summary of events that have led to this point in time. If you want to know why the Rams simply don't agree to terms with Stafford, or why Stafford has such a high salary in mind, I recommend clicking on this link right here.

Doing so will bring you up to date with the key points and players in the ever-deepening saga that is unfolding between Matthew Stafford, the LA Rams, and the rest of the NFL. If you are particularly adventurous, you could toss veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers name into the mix. If you are more along the lines of preferring continuity, then you are likely leaning more heavily into the Rams extending veteran Jimmy Garoppolo.

If you have wanted the Rams to remain the exclusive spot for Matthew Stafford to play in 2025, you've no doubt been a bit heartbroken of late. While early whispers of Stafford's dissatisfaction with his current contract often led to shooting the messenger, even the most skeptical of fans have come to grips with the fact that multiple NFL teams are pushing quite hard on all fronts to secure real interest from Stafford himself, and from the LA Rams in trade offers.

One such team is the Las Vegas Raiders, whose minority owner Tom Brady was recently reported as rubbing elbows with Matthew Stafford on the Montana skiing slopes. Some reports hinted at tampering, but the Rams had already permitted Matthew Stafford to contact other teams. Thus, the NFL quickly ruled no harm, no foul on the conficting reports of how that meeting took place:

The start of the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine is a deadline shared by Colin Cowherd as the start of intensifying negotiations between all parties as they work towards the goal of resolution by the end of the event. Even as you read this, more and more momentum appears to be gaining ground for the Las Vegas Raiders and new Head Coach Pete Carroll:

And the Stafford to Raiders is getting some traction elsewhere too:

More Rams offseason news:

Still,I would not rule out the New York Giants so easily. Giants GM Joe Schoen is in a desperate situation, and knows that this could be his last hurrah for the Big Apple. Desperate times call for desperate measures, which means that he could be breaking out all the stops to lure both Stafford and the Rams to his team.

The Los Angeles Rams are not 'out' of the running by any means. But the fact that the situation has gotten to this point has truly sullied the trust from both sides. Still, events are coming to a head here and now. Even NFL Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo tag-team the scenario and conclude that everything is building to an imminent resolution:

And as all eyes turn to the Rams, Raiders, and GIants, a dark horse team could suddenly emerge. But it's clear that at this point in time, the Rams have lost ground and momentum for returning Matthew Stafford to the 2025 Rams training camp.

Parting is never easy. The Rams lost DT Aaron Donald to retirement in 2024. Even through the 2025 NFL Playoffs, some fans clung to the hope that AD would unretire to play for the Rams once more. The Rams have notified WR Cooper Kupp that they intend to trade him before the 2025 NFL season. That is two weight-bearing walls gone. Matthew Stafford is the third and final piece to that renovation strategy from the 2023 offseason.

The Rams know that they will be parting ways with Stafford someday. Will that be in 2027, 2026, or 2025? Who knows? But it's crystal clear that the Rams will never receive trade offers for Matthew Stafford that are as generous as the offers arriving now.

At least one NFL executive alleged that the Rams move on from Cooper Kupp one year too late. Perhaps that hit a little close to home. Is it better to be too late or too early when making a decision to move on from a veteran? While we may never know that answer, as far as the LA Rams chances of retaining Matthew Stafford, the team may have already crossed over fhe point of no return.

As always, thanks for reading.

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