Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford has found his name in trade rumors this offseason. The Rams decided that they would see what they could get for Stafford as they look forward to the future. Stafford is not getting any younger but he can give a team a few more years before he rides off into the sunset.
There are teams all around the league that could use a quarterback of Stafford’s pedigree. He’s been to the Super Bowl and won it. His experience could be invaluable to a team that feels that they are just a quarterback away from getting over the hump. The Minnesota Vikings won 14 games last year but are currently in a pickle at quarterback. Former NFL QB Chase Daniel suggests that Stafford might be the answer for Minnesota.
Is Matthew Stafford Headed Back to the NFC North?
Stafford to the Vikings would be among the wildest moves that could happen this offseason. He has experience playing against the Vikings in the NFC North during his time with the Detroit Lions. He spent the first 12 years of his career with the Lions. But playing for the Vikings wouldn’t be too unfamiliar to him as current Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell was his offensive coordinator during his Super Bowl victory in Los Angeles.
Daniel sees the Vikings as the best fit for Stafford if he is moved. He has familiarity with O’Connell and with playing indoors during his years in Detroit.
“He needs to go to another indoor team and Kevin O’Connell was his OC when the Rams won the Super Bowl,” said Daniel on Stafford going to the Vikings over other teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers.
.@ChaseDaniel believes Matthew Stafford to the Vikings is a better fit than the Steelers:
“He needs to go to another indoor team and Kevin O'Connell was his OC when the Rams won the Super Bowl.” pic.twitter.com/tnX6S4tyBS
— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) February 24, 2025
The Vikings have an interesting dilemma as last year’s quarterback, Sam Darnold put up a career year and led the team to 14 wins. Unfortunately, the regular season success didn’t hold up in the playoffs as Stafford’s Rams sent them home in the first round. Darnold didn’t have a good game and after all his success throwing for 35 touchdowns in the regular season, doubts crept in as if he’s QB to lead Minnesota into the future.
Darnold will be a free agent and should demand a hefty new contract. It won’t be among the top-paid QBs but it won’t be cheap to bring Darnold back. Minnesota also has rookie J.J. McCarthy in the conversation for their next QB. The No. 10 draft pick in the 2024 NFL Draft suffered a season-ending injury in preseason but will be back and gunning for that starting role.
The Vikings have three options. An old, experienced veteran in Stafford, a breakout QB after a career year in Darnold, and a young first-rounder hungry to prove himself in McCarthy. If Stafford becomes seriously in the conversation for the job, the Vikings QB position will become one of the main storylines of the offseason.
How Did Stafford Fare in 2024?
Stafford had a relatively unspectacular season in 2024. He wasn’t bad either, though. He threw for 3,762 yards and 20 touchdowns with eight interceptions. He finished 22nd in PFSN’s QB+ metric with a grade of 71.9/C-. This was his second-worst full season in QB+ since PFSN started tracking it in 2019.
The bright spots for Stafford came from a clean pocket and his ability to succeed in clutch, close situations. He finished seventh in the league from a clean pocket in 0.31 EPA/DB and sixth in the league in EPA/DB when the two teams were separated by just one score in the 4th quarter at 0.29 EPA/DB.
He couldn’t handle the heat, though. Under pressure, he ranked 30th of all qualified QBs at -0.46 EPA/DB. As an aging quarterback who won’t be getting any more mobile, this could be cause for concern that this problem may persist for the rest of his career.
The Vikings didn’t have the best protection this year as Darnold was sacked nine times in their playoff loss. Sticking Stafford behind that offensive line could be very bad if Stafford’s play resembles his 2024 season. Minnesota will have to take a hard look at their offensive line if they want to commit almost $50 million to Stafford for him to be their starting QB next season.
