(Los Angeles) The Los Angeles Rams and Matthew Stafford reached an agreement Tuesday that will see the quarterback present when the team opens training camp Wednesday at Loyola Marymount University.
Head coach Sean McVay said the deal does not include a contract extension for Stafford. He will begin the second of four seasons in September under a $160 million (C$221 million) contract he signed in March 2022, months after leading the Rams to a Super Bowl victory.
Rather, it would be a contract restructuring whose details have not been disclosed. The 36-year-old quarterback was to earn $31 million this season while having an impact of $49.5 million on the team’s payroll.
“Ultimately, we were looking to find a solution that really worked for our team, but also took into account some of the things that represent Matthew’s value to us,” McVay said. “We think we’ve done that.”
PHOTO JED JACOBSOHN, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Sean McVay, head coach of the Los Angeles Rams
NFL Network reported in April that Stafford wanted more guaranteed money, even though his full salary for 2025 and 2026 was not.
Stafford participated in offseason workouts, but his presence in camp was uncertain. McVay declined to say whether he was concerned Stafford would delay his arrival in camp.
“I’m just grateful that we’re here and we’re focused on our football team,” McVay said. “And I know he’s excited about it. He loves the game of football. His teammates love him, they really trust him to run the offense, and I think we can all agree on that.”
Stafford threw for 3,965 yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season, helping the Rams make the playoffs despite numerous roster changes to meet the salary cap.
He helped his team rush for 367 yards and score two majors in a 24-23 first-round loss to the Lions in Detroit, where Stafford played the first 12 seasons of his career.