The Los Angeles Rams decided to reward their quarterback Matthew Stafford with a new contract after the 34-year-old player led the franchise to a Super Bowl win last month. The team made the announcement over the weekend, revealing that Stafford inked a four-year extension.
While the Rams didn’t disclose the deal’s financial terms, the reports indicate that the agreement is worth around $160 million. In addition, Stafford, who had one year left on his previous contract, will get $135 million guaranteed.
The former first overall pick out of Georgia, Matthew Stafford spent his first 12 NFL seasons with the Detroit Lions. Stafford regularly put up big numbers during that run, but the Lions never managed to find success in the postseason. This prompted the two sides to agree to part ways ahead of the 2021 season mutually. The Rams jumped on the opportunity, sending their own ex-No. 1 pick Jarred Goff alongside two first-rounders and a third-round selection to Detroit in exchange for Stafford.
Stafford proved to be a great fit in Los Angeles, being in the MVP conversation in 2021 and finishing the regular season with 4,886 passing yards, 41 passing touchdowns, and 17 interceptions. He further stepped up in the postseason, completing 70.0 percent of his passes for 1,188 yards and nine TDs to help deliver the Rams their first Vince Lombardi trophy since 1999.
By singing Stafford to a new deal, the Rams ensure they have long-term stability at the most important position in the sport. The move also helps them from the financial standpoint, freeing up the cap space necessary to keep the core of the Super Bowl-winning team together.
