Matthew Stafford, the 37-year-old quarterback who won a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams in 2021, is exploring his options for a trade and a lucrative new contract. According to recent reports, four NFL teams have emerged as frontrunners in landing the two-time Pro Bowler.
What Is Matthew Stafford’s Market Value?
As the Rams’ quarterback, Stafford led the team to the playoffs in four of five seasons and a Super Bowl win. The one season Los Angeles didn’t make the playoffs, Stafford was injured.
Despite most of Stafford’s numbers falling below his career average in the three seasons since claiming the Lombardi, his QB rating has been above his career average. However, Stafford landed 22nd in PFSN’s 2024 QB Rankings, with Ben Rolfe pointing out the veteran’s shortcomings.
“Stafford finished the regular season with his second-worst full-season QB+ since 2019,” Rolfe said. “Both of those bottom two have come in the last three years, raising question marks about whether his career is now trailing off to a point where he might be done.”
The million-dollar question is whether quarterback-hungry teams opt for a once-prolific passer past his prime for a very short window or an unproven prospect for a ceiling of 10-15 years.
SI’s Albert Breer gave his thoughts on the Rams trading Stafford, saying, “What’s hard to know now, though, is what the Rams would be willing to take to part with Stafford.
“If it’s a first-round pick, would … teams still be willing to do a deal at more than $50 million per year? And if that first-round pick is in the top 10, as is the case with three of the … four teams, would the Rams be willing to take a 2026 pick instead of one this year? And if not, how in the world do the Rams fix this with Stafford?”
READ MORE: NFL Insider Reveals the Rams’ $40 Million Plan B if They Decide To Trade Stafford
Breer also commented on what the Rams would do if Stafford is dealt:
“Would Aaron Rodgers coming on a cheaper deal (and he may be willing to take one to play in L.A.) or Sean McVay’s ability to maximize, say, Jimmy Garoppolo or Kirk Cousins at a cut rate, appeal to the team when combined with the picks coming back and extra money to spend on the rest of the roster?”
On NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football,” Peter Schrager talked about how the Rams gave Stafford’s representatives permission to speak with other teams about a potential trade during the week leading up to the Super Bowl.
Stafford’s desire for a new contract would put him among the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league, with an average annual salary of over $50 million.
My latest insights on Stafford and the Rams. pic.twitter.com/mHNebdmCkY
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) February 24, 2025
What Teams Are Interested in Trading for Stafford?
Four teams have expressed interest in acquiring Stafford, according to Breer. Each is facing uncertainties under center, and each sees Stafford as a salve for their offensive ailments.
New York Giants
With the third pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the New York Giants might not be able to select Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders. Trading up to one of those top two slots has garnered mixed reactions. Even with Stafford’s pedigree, trading the third overall pick to land him has the fanbase split. Parting with a first-rounder in 2026 seems to be far more palatable. That’s a future Giants problem.
GET DRAFTING: Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
Would the Giants include Kayvon Thibodeaux in a trade for Stafford, stand pat at No. 3, and draft Abdul Carter? If Carter’s off the board, losing Thibodeaux and not re-signing Azeez Ojulari would be another huge misfire.
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns might be in the least enviable spot among all teams listed. In 2024, Deshaun Watson suffered another season-ending injury. The Browns already have the second-highest dead cap hit at $51 million. They have the second least cap space, $28 million over the limit. Releasing or trading Watson isn’t feasible either as doing so would incur $80-$172 million in dead cap.
Sitting at the second slot in the current NFL Draft order, the Browns could end up with either Ward or Sanders. Or, Cleveland could opt to bring in Kirk Cousins on a veteran minimum. Mix in the urgent need to replace Myles Garrett and the Browns’ war room should be electric.
The Rams wouldn’t want Watson, and all signs point to the Browns not being able to afford Stafford.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers opted to bench 25-year-old free agent signee Justin Fields for then 35-year-old Russell Wilson despite Fields going 4-2 as a starter. For the most part, Wilson’s numbers weren’t drastically better (Wilson’s 2024 QB+: 75.3, 17th; Fields’ 2024 QB+: 78.1, N/A), but he did provide more of a vertical threat downfield on his way to a Pro Bowl selection.
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Pittsburgh has to be the most appealing destination for Stafford. The Steelers are a perennial playoff contender with a top-tier defense.
Las Vegas Raiders
There have been reports new Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll could be into a trade for his old Seattle QB, Geno Smith. Joe DeLeone’s 7-round 2025 NFL mock draft has Las Vegas selecting Sanders. Would new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly prefer a prospect like Sanders to mold or the plug-and-play option in Stafford? Could the Raiders land both?
The primary hurdle for any interested team will be meeting Stafford’s salary demands while also adequately compensating the Rams in a trade.
