Matthew Stafford Commits to Rams for Another Season

Matthew Stafford has taken a bold step by officially committing to the Rams for at least one more season.

The Rams really need to step up their game too.

Stafford, the 37-year-old quarterback for the team, confirmed on Thursday that he will return for the 2026 season. This announcement coincided with him winning his first MVP award in an impressive 17-year NFL career.

It’s kind of a perfect backdrop for his announcement. Not only did he let the Rams know he’s staying for his 18th season, but he did so while being hailed as the league’s top player.

It feels like a friendly nudge—perhaps a suggestion, really—that his return should come with some acknowledgment, maybe a raise that aligns with his elevated status in the league.

This is one of the key considerations for the Rams now that their star quarterback is back on board.

Re-signing Stafford

When Stafford and the Rams agreed to his contract last March, it essentially set up two one-year deals, each worth $42 million.

The next contract year kicks in on March 16th. Sure, that’s a significant amount, but it still falls short compared to what the top quarterbacks are raking in these days. For instance, Dak Prescott of the Cowboys leads in 2026 with a staggering $60 million, while the Bills’ Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, and Jordan Love are all at $55 million. In total, there will be 15 quarterbacks earning more than Stafford next year.

The Rams could easily address this situation by offering Stafford a pay raise. Ideally, they should consider extending his contract through the 2027 season. That would give them not only more stability in the quarterback position but also the time to find a future successor.

It might end up being a three-year deal boasting $110 million guaranteed, with a loophole in the final year.

Avoiding Quarterbacks in April’s Draft

If the Rams can secure a solid commitment from Stafford for two more seasons, they’ll have more flexibility in when and how they look for his replacement.

The upcoming 2026 draft is essentially a bit sparse for quarterbacks, with Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza being the only clear-cut option.

Of course, there might be other talents that emerge, but overall it seems like a weaker year for that position.

Therefore, the Rams should resist the temptation to reach for a project quarterback early in the draft and instead wait for next year, when they’re likely to find a more promising selection.

Considering USC’s Makai Lemon

Last year, the Rams boasted the top-ranked offense in the NFL, yet there’s always room for more talent. With Davante Adams aging, it makes sense for the team to find a suitable partner for Puka Nacua.

If Adams returns next season, they could gradually integrate the dynamic Lemon, helping him grow into significant roles and a promising future.

He’ll only truly make an impact from day one if the situation is conducive to his development.

Bolstering the Cornerback Position

The cornerback slot is another area where the Rams must improve. It was a weak point for them last season and will need to be addressed going into 2026.

There are plenty of options in the draft, and Rams general manager Les Snead has generally excelled at finding talent in those rounds.

However, the need here is critical, and they can’t afford to wait for development time. Fortunately, free agents like Jamel Dean from the Buccaneers, Jalen Watson from the Chiefs, and Tariq Uhlen from the Seahawks will be available this offseason, giving the Rams some intriguing prospects to consider.

With around $46.7 million in salary cap space, the Rams have the flexibility to secure at least one starting cornerback.

Extending Nacua

If the Rams delay another year, the cost to retain one of the league’s top wide receivers will only rise. Nacua has a year remaining on his rookie contract and is eligible for an extension this offseason. This is a perfect opportunity for the team to negotiate a salary-cap-friendly deal.

By signing him now, they could structure the deal to minimize this year’s cap impact and lock him in at this year’s rates instead of facing higher costs next year.

A four-year contract with $92 million guaranteed might be a reasonable target to achieve this.