As illogical as a commerce might sound, we examined why Los Angeles would take into account it.
This is the case for and in opposition to the Rams buying and selling Stafford this offseason.
The case for
Stafford’s commerce worth may by no means get any larger
If Los Angeles intends to transition from the Stafford period, this offseason is one of the best time to half methods. His present deal expires in 2026, giving a possible subsequent staff two seasons with Stafford beneath contract. Contemplating the dearth of fine quarterbacks on this yr’s free company class — Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold is arguably one of the best obtainable — the Rams might get important worth in return for his or her Tremendous Bowl-winning quarterback.
The Rams would get youthful at quarterback
Los Angeles has undergone a youth motion in every single place on its roster however at quarterback. Getting youthful on the place would put the staff’s core on the identical timeline. Stafford not too long ago turned 37. The Rams might pursue Darnold, 27, Steelers quarterback Justin Fields, 25, or a rookie on this yr’s draft class so as to add to a core that features broad receiver Puka Nacua, defensive finish Jared Verse and defensive sort out Braden Fiske, all gamers on rookie contracts.
A commerce would save the Rams $4.3 million or $27 million in 2025 wage cap house
Regardless of already being an estimated $44.3M beneath the projected 2025 cap, the Rams may very well be financially motivated to maneuver on from Stafford. Per Spotrac, Los Angeles would save $4.3M in opposition to the cap by buying and selling Stafford in a pre-June 1 transaction and $26,999,999 in a post-June 1. With the Rams additionally exploring commerce choices for Tremendous Bowl MVP broad receiver Cooper Kupp, they might unload tens of millions as they construct their subsequent Tremendous Bowl-contending roster.
The case in opposition to
Rams can win a Tremendous Bowl subsequent season with Stafford
The most important drawback with Los Angeles deciding to rebuild is that it’s ok to contend for a Lombardi Trophy in 2025 with its veteran quarterback.
In 2024, the Rams gained 9 of their final 12 regular-season video games to achieve the playoffs and almost beat the eventual champion Eagles on the highway within the divisional spherical. If Los Angeles needs to compete for a Tremendous Bowl title in 2025, it should preserve Stafford.
Youthful does not equal higher
If any staff ought to perceive this, it is the Rams. 9 years in the past, they went all-in to amass the No. 1 total choose of the 2016 NFL Draft and choose quarterback Jared Goff, solely to commerce him 5 years later for Stafford, who expeditiously led the franchise to their first Lombardi Trophy because the 1999 season.
Whereas going youthful would take away the specter of their quarterback retiring anytime quickly, that could be the one profit.
Quarterback purgatory isn’t any place to be
The NFL’s finest groups have extra constants than variables. Why would the Rams need to topic themselves to a future shrouded in uncertainty at quarterback?
Los Angeles is aware of what it has in Stafford. Anybody who watched a few of the throws he made throughout the 2024 playoffs understands that he is nonetheless elite. Discarding Stafford could be the last word signal of hubris from Los Angeles, a wager that head coach Sean McVay would make issues work with anybody at quarterback. Contemplating how troublesome it’s for groups to discover a franchise quarterback, that is a ridiculous mind-set. Quarterbacks like Stafford do not develop on bushes. In that case, he would not be almost as invaluable of a commerce chip.
