NFL expert doubles down on 'cooler heads' prevailing in Stafford-Rams contract

As NFL Rumors heat up over the perceived rift between veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams, the matter is nowhere near the breaking point. But the trend of the current round of (re)negotiations has certainly taken a turn in the wrong direction, as we have learned that the team has permitted Stafford and his agent to reach out to other NFL teams to determine what they might be willing to pay him for the next two years of his existing contract.

Historically, that has proven to be the final 'in case of emergency, break glass,' step before the team moves on from that player. We had seen that in the case of WR Desean Jackson, RB Cam Akers, WR Van Jefferson, and more. Still, the teams remains quite committed to getting a deal with Stafford done in time for the 2025 NFL season. But how long will the team be willing to face this impasse?

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ESPN NFL Insider Jeremy Fowler has repeatedly squelched the volume of NFL rumors that suggest that the LA Rams will eventually trade away Matthew Stafford. But in his latest update, even he acknowledges that the Rams' willingness to allow Stafford to explore what a deal with another team might look like does not exactly support his original assertion that Stafford will likely return.

But it does not eliminate the possibility either.

Even as Fowler continues to point Stafford returning to the Rams, his verbage is a bit less optimistic this time around:

"The Los Angeles Rams definitely want Matthew Stafford back, and (that) they are trying to talk through what could be a new contract. Well, it would have to be a new contract, because he is due only $27 million in cash this year on a $50 million cap hit. That is simply untenable.
Whether they can work out the deal is the question.
If they cannot, certainly there will be a lot of interest league-wide in executing a trade. Look at all the teams around the league that need one, starting with the New York Giants, who would love to have a quarterback like Matthew Stafford. But the sense around the league and with the people I have talked to from inside the building is that cooler heads should prevail. Matthew Stafford is still a Top-5 to -6 quarterback in this league, and (that) they can work something out so that he will remain a Ram."

ESPN NFL Insider Jeremy Fowler

The challenge is not a lack of desire to get a deal done. The true challenge of this deal is the lack of any common ground. The two perspectives are both logical, but are mutually exclusive of one another. Had the two sides found common ground in 2024, no renegotiating would be necessary now.,

We have stated all along that his would be a long and tedious negotiation. But with the Rams eager to get to work on extensions, the team's patience is wearing thin. Yes, I do believe that the Rams very much want Matthew Stafford back for 2025. But I am less optimistic about the chances of that happening as time passes.

The LA Rams may not have ideal options as Plan B alternatives, but the team appears to be resolute over not overcommitting salary cap dollars today that will negate the chances of paying elite young players in the future. And for the life of me, I agree with that strategy.

Better to pay young players who will become better in the future, than to pay veterans and hope that their skills and productivity does not diminish.

As always, thanks for reading.

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