Stafford opens up about contract extension

Woodland Hills, CA (News4usOnline) – The Los Angeles Rams opened up organized team activities (OTAs) and there were plenty of observations from this lens. For now, we’ll stick with two key takeaways from the Rams spring practice.  

The first was quarterback Matthew Stafford, who spoke to reporters for the first time since he signed a one-year, $55 million extension to give him an extra cushion should he decide he wants to play beyond the 2026 NFL season. 

Stafford is happy to get all of that out of the way so he can just concentrate on playing football, he said. 

“It was good. I obviously have a ton of respect for our team and our organization,” Stafford said concluding a practice that was opened up to the media. “Happy to have next year taken care of if I decide to play and they still want me back. But no just excited to get that behind me because I just want to come out here and play and not think about that kind of stuff. So great to get that done sooner rather than later.” 

The extension signed by Stafford gives both the Rams and last season’s MVP two more seasons to work together their offensive magic. Stafford and head coach Sean McVay have already won a Super Bowl. 

The dynamic duo came close to making it a second Super Bowl appearance after coming one drive away from that goal in the NFC title game against the Seattle Seahawks. 

Should Stafford decide he wants to keep his football flame lit for another season, McVay and the Rams want to make sure they can run it back with their star quarterback. So, basically, the extension is a year’s security blanket for both Stafford and the Rams as the plan is laid out to take things one year at a time. 

“Yeah, I think so,” Stafford quipped.  “That’s the conversations that I’ve had with the team. Obviously, if I’m feeling healthy and like I said, it’s a family decision. I can’t sit there and tell you what it’s going to look like 365 days from now. If you can, let me know (laughter). But it’s just one of those deals where I’m doing the best I can to make sure that I can play as long as I can and make sure that my family and I are all on the same page before we embark on whatever season it may be.” 

With contract and extension stuff out of the way, Stafford can free his mind and center it on football. Right now, that’s probably where rookie quarterback Ty Simpson is at. Playbook and the football field. The Rams drafted Simpson with the No. 13 pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. 

Depending on whether or not Jimmy Garoppolo returns for another season, Simpson, the former Alabama star, could be competing with ex-Georgia Bulldog Stetson Bennett IV for the right to back up Stafford.

Barring noise from outside of the locker room, Stafford sees part of his role as the leader of the ballclub helping Simpson and bringing his young cohort up to speed in learning the curve to playing quarterback in the NFL.

“I think my job, first and foremost, is just to get myself and our team ready to play as best I possibly can,” said Stafford. “He’s a part of that team. There’s no question about it, we’re in a unique position in the fact that we play the same position. I have a ton of experience and he’s just now starting his journey as an NFL player. So listen, I know he’s going to watch not only me, but other guys like Stetson who’s been around a little bit too and really just soak up as much coaching as he possibly can.”  

Stafford appears to be impressed with Simpson’s eagerness to soak up his football knowledge. 
“He’s a guy that asks questions,” Stafford remarked. “I’ve been trying to answer those as honestly and as thoroughly as I possibly can. He’s a smart kid. He’s got talent, obviously. He’s a high draft pick so happy to add good players to our team. He’s one of them.  But my job is to go out there and get myself and our team as ready to play as I possibly can.”