ESPN’s Adam Schefter says a lot of NFL teams have at least “checked in” with the Los Angeles Rams on the availability of veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford.
But Schefter made it clear while on The Pat McAfee Show on Feb. 26 that three teams stand above the rest as “super interested” — the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter Explains Matthew Stafford-Rams Predicament
This isn’t the first offseason where it’s unclear if Stafford will return to the Rams. Schefter argued that’s part of the issue with the relationship between the quarterback and franchise.
Both sides are working things out. But NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on Feb. 21 that the Rams gave permission to Stafford to seek other NFL opportunities. In light of that, Schefter portrayed the future behind center for the Rams completely in the hands of Stafford.
“There are issues that both sides have been working through. [But] in this particular case, he’s on a contract that he’s scheduled to make $27 million, no guaranteed money. You have to address the contract,” Schefter told McAfee.
“But now you’ve given the agent permission to go out and see what other teams would be willing to offer, and you probably find that other teams are willing to offer more. So now it comes down to what Matthew Stafford wants to do.
“Do you want to leave place where you’ve had a great run here? Where you’ve won a Super Bowl? Where your family is set up? Or, do you want to go for more money to another one of these franchises that are interested in a city where you haven’t lived in. And I think that’s basically where we’re at.”
"There's a lot of teams interested in Matthew Stafford..
Raiders, Giants, Steelers, & others have checked in" ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive https://t.co/FP4FAxZbMW pic.twitter.com/EhvzLqg5ID
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 26, 2025
Stafford has spent the past four seasons with the Rams. He made the Pro Bowl in 2023, but his best season was arguably in 2021. Even though Stafford led the NFL with 17 interceptions that season, he also had 4,886 passing yards and 41 touchdowns while leading the Rams to a Super Bowl title.
During the 2024 regular season, Stafford finished ranked 22nd in the PFN+ QB metric with an overall C-minus grade. He tossed 20 touchdowns versus eight interceptions while posting 3,762 passing yards.
Raiders, Giants, Steelers ‘Super Interested’ in QB Matthew Stafford
Schefter told McAfee the Raiders, Giants and Steelers have emerged in the Stafford sweepstakes ahead of any other potential suitors.
“Others have checked in, but I view [the Raiders, Giants, Steelers] as kind of the playing field,” added Schefter.
Schefter argued Stafford surely has the confidence that he can win anywhere. But the lack of recent success for the Raiders and Giants could propel Stafford to take less money to stay with the Rams.
The Steelers have been a playoff team the past two years, but they have also made embarrassing first-round exits the last two seasons.
The Rams won a playoff game despite losing their home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs during January. Stafford has four playoff wins this decade while the Steelers, Raiders and Giants have combined for zero.
According to Schefter, those are potential factors in Stafford’s decision. But the quarterback is in demand and the decision is likely to be his. FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported on Feb. 19 that Stafford is seeking a new contract with future guarantees that will make him close to one of the league’s top 10 quarterbacks.
