Matthew Stafford is looking for a new contract from the Rams

Coming off a Pro Bowl season, the Los Angeles QB now wants a new deal with more guaranteed money and years

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is entering his 16th season in the NFL, but is still playing at the top of his game after earning a Pro Bowl nod and taking LA to the playoffs last season. While many were questioning if Los Angeles would be planning for life after Stafford by drafting a QB in the NFL draft on Thursday night, it turns out that the Rams quarterback has no plans to retire anytime soon, and may actually be looking for an extension of some type.

According to Ian Rapoport on last night’s NFL Network draft coverage, Stafford is looking for more guaranteed money and years added to his contract.

“My understanding is Matthew Stafford, while he has been in the building, does want an adjustment on his contract, does want more guaranteed money past this year,” Rapoport reported. “He believes he has a lot left. A little bit of a lingering issue this offseason for the Rams.”

Stafford signed a four-year, $160 million contract in 2022, with $130 million dollars guaranteed, however there is no guaranteed salary on his current deal after this 2024 season.

Stafford is arguably one of the best quarterbacks in the NFC, and has proven with good offensive line play that he can still be deadly accurate and effective. Last season, Stafford passed for 3,965 yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while bringing LA just shy of beating the Detroit Lions in the wild-card round of the playoffs, far exceeding early preseason expectations for the team.

The Rams may not be thrilled to pay more money, but Stafford is the clear leader of the team and having him for a few more years, along with known stability at the QB position going forward, would probably be something that LA would like to see happen. Rams head coach Sean McVay has made it known on multiple occasions that he loves his current quarterback.

When speaking about playing against Detroit in the playoffs last season in Stafford’s recent YouTube special “Locked In”, McVay said:

“Tremendously grateful for the time we had with Jared, but I wouldn’t want anyone else in the world to be our quarterback than Matthew Stafford.” McVay continued later on in the show, “Hopefully we can convince him to keep playing, because he’s like a fine wine he just keeps getting better with age.”

Stafford will be the quarterback for 2024, and it looks like he wants to continue playing beyond this coming season, making his goals clear in the same documentary:

“I want a gold jacket, and I was like, I know what I got to do to get there and that’s win Super Bowls. That’s something I’ve been lucky enough to do once, and I want to do it at least one more time, maybe twice.”

The Rams should have one of the more potent offenses heading into the season. With a newly built offensive line that is expected to be one of the better groups in the league, and weapons like Puka Nacua, Kyren Williams and Cooper Kupp, Stafford should have everything he needs to go out and prove to LA why they need to give him a new deal.