The Los Angeles Rams announced on Thursday that they’ve signed Matthew Stafford to a contract extension, which is reportedly for one year and $55 million, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Stafford had only been signed through the 2026 season, but with this new extension signed, he’s now under contract for the next two seasons. At 38 years old, Stafford has shown no signs of slowing down, which is why the Rams are so comfortable extending him once again.
The reigning MVP is coming off the best season of his career, leading the NFL in touchdown passes and passing yards. After signing a one-year extension last offseason, too, he earned this hefty raise; he can now earn up to $105 million in the next two seasons.
The biggest question with Stafford isn’t whether he’ll play well in his age-38 season in 2026. It’s how long he’ll continue to play.
What Matthew Stafford’s contract means for his future
The Rams have taken it year to year with Stafford for the last several offseasons, reworking his deal each year to give him A) a raise and B) more guaranteed money. This new deal does that, too, and it gives both parties a good chance to stick together again in 2027.
Had the Rams only given Stafford a raise instead of an extension this year, he would’ve been a free agent in 2027. That would’ve made things much more difficult next year, allowing Stafford to hit the open market as a free agent.
Now that he’s signed for another year, he’s all but certain to remain with the Rams in 2027, as long as he decides he wants to continue playing. He gets to stay in Los Angeles, where his family has put down roots, and the Rams get to keep their stud quarterback.
It’s a win-win.
The fact that it’s “only” an extension through 2027 doesn’t mean he plans to retire after his contact ends. The Rams have been taking it one year at a time with him, and that doesn’t change with this deal.
It’s entirely possible they’ll hash out another extension after this coming season if Stafford still feels good physically.
What Matthew Stafford’s contract means for Ty Simpson
The Rams didn’t draft Simpson expecting him to play this year. They probably didn’t even draft him with the expectation that he’ll play in 2027. Sean McVay has said that Stafford can play for the Rams as long as he wants, happily putting off Simpson’s chance to start.
It’s now looking like Simpson won’t get an opportunity to play until 2028. If he does take the reins in 2028, that would be after two years of sitting.
More importantly, it would only give the Rams a one-year sample size before they have to decide whether to pick up his fifth-year option for 2030 – which will be a significant raise for the QB. It’s almost like the sample size they had before drafting him.
Simpson was undoubtedly a pick for the future, but considering Stafford seems to have every intention of playing in 2027, the Rams likely won’t reap the benefits of drafting Simpson for two years.
Succession plans can take long, but if Stafford keeps playing at this level, he could stick around for a while.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: What Matthew Stafford’s extension means for him, the Rams and Ty Simpson
Reporting by Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
