Rams extend QB Stafford

(News4usonline) – Matthew Stafford isn’t going anywhere. At least no time soon. The Los Angeles Rams blinked and made the chess move to sign Stafford to a reported $55 million, one-year deal.  

“Let’s make one thing clear, this is Matthew’s [Stafford] team,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said shortly after the first day of the 2026 NFL Draft.  

Now, all Stafford has to do is play football. Stafford had an excellent 2025 season. So much so that the Los Angeles Rams quarterback was named the NFL’s most valuable player for the regular season. 

Stafford guided the Rams to the NFC title game and came a drive away from sending Los Angeles to the Super Bowl. Stafford’s reward for his exceptional play in his 17th season? A one-year extension worth a reported $55 million. 

With the extension given to Stafford, the Rams have effectively quieted the noise surrounding the longtime veteran and any type of possible uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position and now and for the next two seasons. 

The message sent by the Rams with the extension of Stafford’s contract is simple: this is Stafford’s team. Plain and simple. 

Yes, the Rams did draft Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft as the team’s possible long-term solution at the quarterback’s wheels. 

And yes, the Rams did draft Stetson Bennett just a couple of years ago in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft as the possible quarterback of the future for the team. McVay talked about envisioning Stafford as a mentor to both of his young quarterbacks. 

 “I think most importantly, just modeling the way and how he goes about his business on a daily basis,”  Seen is better than said, but then just the wisdom. I’ve watched him pour into all the guys that have been in that room, especially poured into Stetson Bennett.” 

At the end of the day, the Rams will go as far as Stafford will take them, at least in the short term. 

Considering how touch-and-go Stafford’s health was during the summer and swirling debates on whether he would miss time, last season turned out to be a remarkable one for Stafford. The first thing Stafford proved was that he is a durable product. 

Stafford played in all 17 games during the regular season. 

Statistically, 2025 was one of the best seasons that Stafford has ever had as a pro. Stafford completed 65 percent of his passes for 4,717 yards and 46 touchdowns against just eight interceptions. 

Stafford’s statistical takeoff mirror that of the 2021 season he played. All Stafford did that season was complete 67 percent of his passes for 4,886 yards and 41 touchdowns in his first season playing for the Rams. Stafford was traded to Los Angeles by the Detroit Lions. 

After that initial season and leading the Rams’ to a Super Bowl victory against the Cincinnati Bengals, Stafford played decently, and hardly ever at the MVP level he played in 2025. 

The importance of the Rams getting all this behind them now is because they probably don’t need or want the drama or distractions going into training camp. Questions about Stafford have now been answered, so that takes the steam out of asking about the signal-caller’s future. 

Inglewood, CA – Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws for 281 yards and four touchdowns in a 34-10 victory against the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium on Nov. 2, 2025. Photo credit: Mark Hammond / News 4 Us Online