NFL rumors maelstrom surrounding Matthew Stafford just took a turn for the worse

When it comes to the LA Rams, you may not trust the words of NFL Insider Albert Breer when he claims that the team may trade quarterback Matthew Stafford. But when it comes to Good Morning Football's host Peter Schrager, you had better sit up and take heed. So when Peter Schrager discussed the current drama over the Rams and Matthew Stafford, he has been viewed as someone in the know. So he is not shooting from the hip when he cited his concerns over the future of Stafford with the team.

In fact, he has cited his reasons along the same lines that I had cited in the past. More specifically, the Week 18 performance of backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo with the backup offense was simply too good to brush off nonchalantly. If Garoppolo could lead the team in a single-game passing yards in just one game, imagine how well he might do with the team in a full 17-game season.

Of course, simply having one good game on the books means nothing unto itself. But it's one piece of the jigsaw puzzle image that is beginning to form right now. The truth is that the Rams' offense was very proficient in its aerial assault with Garoppolo in the pocket. And with the team trading away Matthew Stafford's right-hand man, Cooper Kupp, the offense is already facing turmoil.

Now layer on the fact that Matthew Stafford in under contract through 2026, but is almost certainly unwilling to compete in the 2025 NFL season under his current contract terms. The LA Rams front office has consistently bent over backward to placate star players. But at 37 years old, what assurances do the Rams have that Stafford can remain proficient and injury free over the next two seasons?

In 2024, Matthew Stafford was only sacked 28 times. 22 other NFL quarterbacks were sacked as often or more often than Stafford. So I don't think we can rationalize Stafford's challenges this past season to lack of continuity along the offensive line of scrimmage.

Stafford suffered a rib injury in Week 15 against the San Francisco 49ers, but continued to suit up to face the New York Jets and the Arizona Cardinals. The Rams won both games, but did so on the backs of a huge performance by the Rams young defense. The Rams offense scored 19 and 13 points in those two wins, respectively.

Stafford reset in Week 18, and returned for the 2025 NFL Playoffs in much better form. So that opens the question of whose decision was it to start Stafford with injured ribs? Per Rams Head Coach Sean McVay, the team was fully aware of Stafford's rib injury. But Stafford showed no limits to his range of motion nor did he describe his status as having pain or discomfort. But clearly, Stafford's play was impacted.

Turn the page

Whether Stafford is part of the problem or part of the solution to fixing the offense for 2025 remains to be seen. But it's important not to gloss over the challenges that face the Rams front office right now. The team was unable to retain backup quarterback Baker Mayfield after a promising 2022 NFL season. Mayfield wanted to start. In 2024, Mayfield threw for 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions.

Those numbers rival that of Matthew Stafford's stellar 2021 season.

Now, the team has another very important decision to make. Should the team forego a chance to retain Jimmy Garoppolo's very promising Week 18 performance and stick with Stafford? Or is this the right moment to decouple from Stafford, turn to Jimmy G, and let chips fall where they may?

Per Good Morning Football host Peter Schrager, the Rams may be considering a new chapter with Jimmy G. at the helm:

"I do not think Stafford is retiring, but I think there is a chance he might wear another uniform in the near future, based on what the tea leaves are saying.

As for the Rams, I will tell you what, I know it sounds crazy now, but Jimmy Garoppolo is pretty well-liked there this season. I know that he’s not necessarily got the career that Stafford has, but he had a nice little season this year for them, so I think he’d be the first option before they look to blow it up and go somewhere totally different and young."

Peter Schrager

Every option facing the Rams right now comes with risks and rewards. There is no easy and simple solution for the team's future. For every dollar the team commits to Stafford, there is one less dollar to commit to another player. And can we say with 100 percent confidence that the Rams offense with Stafford will be even better in 2025 without WR Cooper Kupp on the football field?

I don't have all the answers right now, nor do I pretend to. But the pushback over NFL rumors that the Rams may trade Matthew Stafford continue to be over the top. If Peter Schrager admits the possibility, you should accept the chance of a future without Stafford.

If you don't like the wave of NFL rumors involving Rams players, I hate to be the one to tell you. That's is pretty much what the menu this offseason will consist of.

There was plenty at stake in the Wild Card Round of the 2025 NFL Playoffs for four NFL QBs. Now, the future of the Rams starting quarterback role is a bit uncertain. Stay tuned. This offseason is already starting out with a bang.

As always, thanks for reading.

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