The Los Angeles Rams and quarterback Matthew Stafford agreed to a revised contract in February, solidifying their partnership and Stafford’s future in Los Angeles. While the agreement was reached some time ago, the intricate details of the reworked deal have recently emerged, providing clarity on the team’s strategic financial planning.
According to Over The Cap, the revised contract is a two-year, $80 million deal extending through 2025, with $40 million in guarantees. This represents a $26 million increase from Stafford’s previous contract, including a $17 million raise for the 2025 season, boosting his cash payout from $27 million to $44 million. Stafford also has multiple option bonuses potentially worth up to $24 million in both 2025 and 2026.
Despite the increased payout to Stafford in 2025, the Rams have successfully lowered his cap hit from $49.67 million to $40.97 million. This was achieved by adding five void years to the contract, spanning from 2027 to 2031. These void years allow the Rams to spread out Stafford’s bonus, thus mitigating the immediate impact on the 2025 salary cap.
Stafford’s new contract effectively positions him as the 11th highest-paid quarterback in terms of annual salary, earning approximately $46.5 million per year, placing him behind Jalen Hurts ($51 million) and slightly ahead of Kyler Murray ($46.1 million). His $40 million average per year ranks 15th, and his total guarantees rank 17th among NFL quarterbacks.
Matthew Stafford’s Contract And The Los Angeles Rams Future
The contract’s structure underscores the Rams’ “win now” mentality. As OverTheCap notes, the new deal opens up $8.7 million in cap space for 2025, giving them $24.6 million in effective cap space heading into the summer. This financial flexibility allows the Rams to pursue additional player signings, potentially including a trade for a star player like Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who has expressed interest in a return to Los Angeles. The Rams are also projected to have the fifth-most cap space in 2026, with $82.7 million.
By strategically managing Stafford’s contract, the team is positioned to compete at a high level over the next two years, building on the success of their recent drafts in 2023 and 2024. The team is now well-equipped to spend in free agency and potentially execute a significant trade, leveraging their future flexibility with an extra first-round pick in 2026.
Head coach Sean McVay acknowledged Stafford’s willingness to make “some sacrifices” to remain with the team, indicating that he could have secured a more lucrative deal elsewhere, such as with the New York Giants or Las Vegas Raiders. However, Stafford expressed his desire to stay with the Rams, stating that he “never really wanted to leave” and is grateful for the opportunity to continue pursuing a Super Bowl championship in Los Angeles.
In essence, the revised contract provides clarity and stability, eliminating the offseason drama that has surrounded Stafford’s contract situation in previous years. The Rams are now firmly focused on maximizing their championship window while also strategically positioning themselves for a seamless transition into the next era of the franchise.
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