Matthew Stafford is one of a kind among those who play football or even those who watch the game week-in and week-out. He’s special, he’s different and as Mike Florio and Chris Simms recently put it, he “exudes swagger.” You can watch them chop it up about Stafford below my ramblings.
I had my doubts when the Los Angeles Rams traded for him because in mind the only way to justify that trade was to win a Super Bowl. Stafford did just that. So, I sit here today and I totally get why he wants to be paid as a high-end quarterback. He is that. His age doesn’t matter. He’s somewhat worth whatever he says he’s worth in a quarterback driven league.
The Rams may be able to get Stafford to give up some money, but at the end of the day Stafford wants what he wants, and when a dude has the swagger, it’s wise to abide.
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“After both conference championships were played, Ben Rolfe of the Pro Football Network ranked every team’s offensive line. Rolfe ranked the Cardinals’ offensive line the seventh-best in the National Football League.
“The Arizona Cardinals’ strong performances in the last month saw them finish inside the top 10 in our NFL OL rankings,” Rolfe said. “They sat first over the last four weeks, with back-to-back A- games, and then a B and C+ performance to round out the year.
“Even though their quarterback loves to hold the ball against the blitz (26th), the Cardinals’ pressure rate (39.2%, 11th) and sack rate (8.6%, 18th) are very respectable. When facing just four or fewer rushers, Arizona’s line was excellent this year, ranking fifth in pressure rate (25.3%) and second in sack rate (3.9%). Additionally, they did well in opening up holes for the backs, ranking ninth in RBYBC/rush (1.00) while also sitting 11th in RBWR.”
“In those two postseason games, Stafford threw for 533 yards and four touchdowns. Stafford’s elite play came despite having played with broken ribs since week 15.
However, Stafford’s return to Los Angeles has yet to be confirmed as his representatives and the Rams will have to work out a new deal heading into 2025.
Stafford has two years left on a four-year extension he signed right after Super Bowl LVI. Due to restructuring, he currently has a 49.6 million dollar cap hit that the Rams could get out of by releasing him with a post-June 1st designation. That move would save the team 26.9 million dollars on this year’s books but would carry a dead cap hit of 22.6 million in 2025 and 2026.”
“Speaking of 2024, the Rams rolled most of the year with two UDFAs, Christian Rozeboom and Omar Speights (rookie). While both played admirably, and Speights flashed real starter potential for a rookie, there is no doubt that upgrading the position will help massively, especially in the run defense.”