What a whirlwind this Matthew Stafford saga has been. Not even 24 hours ago, it really felt like it was imminent that he would be traded by the Los Angeles Rams.
There were reports that Stafford, or his representation, had met with the Giants and Raiders, and contract figures had been agreed upon. The Raiders, with their connection to Tom Brady and newly built front office and coaching staff, felt like the team that would end up getting a deal done.
This morning, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that both the Raiders and Giants have discussed a two-year contract for Stafford that would include $90-$100 million guaranteed.
There were other reports that the Rams were wanting to pay him even less than he earned this year, meaning that the sides were quite a ways off from striking a deal.
Russini also reported that Matthew Stafford and the Rams would be meeting in person today in Los Angeles. By all indications, they want to see if they can get close, but if not, to discuss where he would like to be traded to, and then the Rams would need to work out the compensation they would receive, which we know they have started the bidding at a first-round pick.
Matthew Stafford’s time in LA felt over.
New Reporting Indicates Los Angeles Rams Still Have A Chance Of Keeping Matthew Stafford
Just an hour ago, NFL Insider Ian Rapoport put out a brief report that puts the Rams back in the running.
“A Matthew Stafford decision looms, and his return to the Rams feels more likely to those involved. Nothing final. But clearly more likely than a few days ago when it appeared he was set to leave.”
Head Coach Sean McVay and Stafford have spoken multiple times throughout this situation, and you have to assume that McVay will be in the meeting today.
If the Rams are unwilling to budge from the roughly $40 million they want to pay and the 1-year deal they want to offer, it will pretty much be completely up to Stafford if he wants to leave LA and start elsewhere. It is a massive decision, both professionally and personally, for what ultimately could be a two-year window.
Either way, a decision and a resolution will be made by the end of the NFL Combine, and it could happen as early as today. But based on Rapoport’s reporting, the Rams still have a shot to make amends and get a deal done. Will they is a whole other story.