Matthew Stafford’s name has surfaced on the Las Vegas Raiders’ radar as the offseason begins. According to Vic Tafur of The Athletic, who reported on the Raiders’ quarterback situation Sunday, Stafford is “the name to watch” should the Los Angeles Rams decide to trade him. At 37, Stafford could serve as an ideal bridge quarterback, providing veteran leadership and experience while a rookie or younger player is developed as his eventual successor. However, this scenario hinges entirely on whether the Rams, who have seen Stafford lead them to three playoff appearances and a Super Bowl title in his four seasons, are willing to part ways with their quarterback.
Las Vegas Raiders Showing Interest In Trading For Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford
In a recent appearance on The Rich Eisen Show on Friday, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero revealed that the Los Angeles Rams have granted Stafford’s agent permission to engage in discussions with other teams regarding a potential trade. However, Pelissero clarified that the Rams’ “priority” remains to retain Stafford, emphasizing that these discussions are primarily intended to help both the team and Stafford understand his current market value across the league.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport echoed that report and clarified that “This is not a trade request” as both sides evaluate the overall market and move forward accordingly.
The Raiders’ potential interest in Stafford is understandable, considering their quarterback situation. After a 4-13 season that saw them utilize Gardner Minshew II, Aidan O’Connell, and Desmond Ridder, the Raiders are clearly searching for stability at the position. Holding the No. 6 pick in the 2025 NFL draft, the Raiders face a decision regarding the quarterback position. While they could potentially select a quarterback at No. 6, securing either Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders, widely regarded as the top two quarterbacks in the draft class, may require them to trade up, as they could be selected before the Raiders’ current pick.
Should the Raiders opt against trading up in the draft, acquiring a veteran quarterback like Stafford could provide an immediate solution, allowing them to address their quarterback needs while either exploring later-round options in the current draft or focusing on the 2026 class. Furthermore, Stafford’s established track record would significantly enhance the Raiders’ ability to compete within the highly competitive AFC West in 2025.