Matthew Stafford Contract Status

[DzRams]

Yes that is true but putting a blanket statement out like that doesn't speak as to why the Rams and Stafford haven't hammered down a deal yet. How Stafford's contract is restructured will determine the impact it has to how likely they are to retain younger players coming up for contract negotiations. It will also impact how we add free agents. It sounds like you are more so saying sign him at any cost which quite honestly is a really foolish thing to do from a front office point of view. I could be mistaken in saying that, but that's rhe message I'm getting.

I'm not sure how you could get a sign him at any cost position since I specifically used the phrase "market rate."

It's been expressed by several that if Stafford wants $50m or more - i.e. the low end of the going market rate for a QB which is $50-$60m - that we should move on.

I'm registering my vote that we pay him market rate of somewhere in the $50s and we'll be fine salary cap wise by doing so.

 

[DzRams]

Snead works for McVay. When McVay wanted to replace Goff he got on the horn to the owner. This franchise is aligned around McVay.

Nah...all reports indicate that they work as a team and come to a consensus on big decisions. McVay is a large voice in the equation but just one voice.

On the Goff trade, McVay himself said he called Rams brass, Snead and Demoff, in a video call. The call to Kroenke came afterwards.

Monetary decisions get input from Kroenke, Demoff, Tony Pastoors (who directly negotiates most of the contracts), and Snead. Kroenke, of course, is the final vote.

Demoff has said the overall strategy of long-term team building is a group exercise...which presumably Snead oversees.

The on-field product itself in the short-term is McVay first, Snead with input.

 

[Ram_Rally]

You think they had a talk and then whipped up a contract right there and then and said, do you want this?

All seems like a normal timeline right now. I'm sure Rams are probably only completing the outline of a contract offer this week.

I'm not sure what they met for. Feels like a waste to meet up only for "talks not progressing much." But maybe they just met up as friends and didn't discuss it much.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

I'm not sure how you could get a sign him at any cost position since I specifically used the phrase "market rate."

It's been expressed by several that if Stafford wants $50m or more - i.e. the low end of the going market rate for a QB which is $50-$60m - that we should move on.

I'm registering my vote that we pay him market rate of somewhere in the $50s and we'll be fine salary cap wise by doing so.

That's why I said, I could be wrong lol. I have zero qualms paying him but saying we'll be fine salary cap wise isn't entirely true. How that contract is structured is going to play a big role in how it effects the rest of the roster building. Will we take a big cap hit, will there be void years, will Stafford retire prior to the contract he's given, etc. Jourdan, who is our closest thing to peeping inside the building as a Rams reporter essentially echoes this. How important that really is will ultimately be determined by what the Rams decide to do. I'm personally ok with whatever route the Rams take. They've earned my trust as this team is not the LA Staffords, it's the LA Rams and as long as McVay is here, we'll be alright.

 

[WestCoastRam]

I'm not sure what they met for. Feels like a waste to meet up only for "talks not progressing much." But maybe they just met up as friends and didn't discuss it much.

I'm certainly just comparing it to contract negotiations I've been a part of. I doubt much was said other than general parameters at most even if that.

 

[Ram_Rally]

I'm certainly just comparing it to contract negotiations I've been a part of. I doubt much was said other than general parameters at most even if that.

Yeah I've never had to negotiate to that extent. So it could be a casual Convo. Nothing to note until after the combine I'm sure.

 

[dieterbrock]

Just to repeat, Stafford will cost over 103 mill in cap space in the next 2 seasons while making a combined 58 mill during that timeframe.
So its really easy to say the Rams should just cough up another 50 mil or so which would ultimately put them in potential cap hell and also hamper what they can do in free agency this year.
Not sure why he's getting such a free pass from folks

 

[OldSchool]

Just to repeat, Stafford will cost over 103 mill in cap space in the next 2 seasons while making a combined 58 mill during that timeframe.
So its really easy to say the Rams should just cough up another 50 mil or so which would ultimately put them in potential cap hell and also hamper what they can do in free agency this year.
Not sure why he's getting such a free pass from folks

Because people just think this is a wave of a pen and just change money to guaranteed. They don't realize he wants more money than the $58 million and that comes out of the available cap. Or they want it in void years to kick the can down the road.

 

[payote75]

I stated depending on what picks you can get BK I'd like to keep Stafford but if you can land in the top 10 recoup a 2nd rounder etc. you can go Rodgers or Darnold longer term solution but I'd go for place holder and try hard as I could to sign Higgins. He is 26 so he fits the timeline.

The Rams opened a new window we overcame losing AD for nothing We can overcome losing Stafford too add Higgins trade for pitts and sign a real stud corner while you have Aaron you get Jones on this team or roll the dice with Darnold. I'm scared for one reason in keeping Stafford it's not even about this year. I'd be happy if all they did is resign him signed Higgins and added a cb somehow. It's kicking the can down the road that worries me window is open toing guys will need to be resigned eventually so if he wants to much he has to go. Sad as it makes me got to look at the bigger picture for me.

Well just saw that Higgins update in the other thread sux.

 

[Ellard80]

View attachment 69874
Seems there has been an attempt but not much came from it.

Where is that clip from?

I've not seen anything like that mentioned before.

 

[Ellard80]

Where is that clip from?

I've not seen anything like that mentioned before.

nm i see it now.. new today.

 

[Ram_Rally]

Where is that clip from?

I've not seen anything like that mentioned before.

Jourdan Rodrigue in the athletic this morning.

 

[Wisconsinram]

Just to repeat, Stafford will cost over 103 mill in cap space in the next 2 seasons while making a combined 58 mill during that timeframe.
So its really easy to say the Rams should just cough up another 50 mil or so which would ultimately put them in potential cap hell and also hamper what they can do in free agency this year.
Not sure why he's getting such a free pass from folks

I think because he's set to bring home an average annual salary over the next two years that begins with the number 2.

 

[Merlin]

Highly doubtful he works for McVay lol.... they're called McSnead for a reason. Those 2 work in conjunction with each other. Does Snead do his best to give McVay what he wants? Of course, he does. But to assume Snead just says sure and doesn't care about how that affects the cap is not reality. I'm sure Snead is trying his best to figure out everything that works for McVay's first priority but also making contingency plans. Snead is a fluid wheeler and dealer.

Someone has to have the final say on the roster. That is McVay. Of course Snead is a class act and great GM in his own right. But once again this thought process that Snead lays down the smack on what the roster will be is inaccurate. The fact that McVay relies on him and they work so well together are great things. But push comes to shove only one of them has final say on that roster. That is how it has to be in this game.

 

[XXXIVwin]

Because people just think this is a wave of a pen and just change money to guaranteed. They don't realize he wants more money than the $58 million and that comes out of the available cap. Or they want it in void years to kick the can down the road.

While I'm optimistic they'll "somehow" get it done, I'd have to admit I don't understand the cap implications of MS' contract very well. Count me among those who thought that " a wave of the pen" could change some of that money to "guaranteed" money.

I read in an article today that Stafford's salary counts for approximately 50M against the cap in 2025. So it's not possible to "simply" raise the guaranteed money without impacting the 2025 cap?

I know it's complicated, but if either you or @dieterbrock understand the cap implications better than most of us do, feel free to give a shot at explaining it....

 

[PhillyRam]

While I'm optimistic they'll "somehow" get it done, I'd have to admit I don't understand the cap implications of MS' contract very well. Count me among those who thought that " a wave of the pen" could change some of that money to "guaranteed" money.

I read in an article today that Stafford's salary counts for approximately 50M against the cap in 2025. So it's not possible to "simply" raise the guaranteed money without impacting the 2025 cap?

I know it's complicated, but if either you or @dieterbrock understand the cap implications better than most of us do, feel free to give a shot at explaining it....

They would have to add several void years where his bonus cap hits are extended out 3 or 4 years. That would suck and remove any advantage in the future of having a young QB on a rookie contract or make it tough to add a more expensive QB that they might acquire in the future via trade or FA.

That's the hang up.

 

[Steve808]

Another question for the ages. Do the Rams go "all in" again this season? I would say go for it if it makes the Rams legitimate super bowl contenders and I'd say the Rams already are. The Rams are the only team that threatened to beat the iggles in the playoffs.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

Someone has to have the final say on the roster. That is McVay. Of course Snead is a class act and great GM in his own right. But once again this thought process that Snead lays down the smack on what the roster will be is inaccurate. The fact that McVay relies on him and they work so well together are great things. But push comes to shove only one of them has final say on that roster. That is how it has to be in this game.

I highly doubt McVay has final say. Everything has to work out in the collaboration of both these guys. McVay certainly carries a certain weight, but just like he lets his coaches coach, I'm sure he lets his GM do his job as well.

 

[Turducken]

Just to repeat, Stafford will cost over 103 mill in cap space in the next 2 seasons while making a combined 58 mill during that timeframe.
So its really easy to say the Rams should just cough up another 50 mil or so which would ultimately put them in potential cap hell and also hamper what they can do in free agency this year.
Not sure why he's getting such a free pass from folks

Exactly, and the Rams have the most leverage here.

He's under contract so if they just publicly offer guarantees covering this year and a big chunk of 2026 then the only thing he's renegotiating is a raise. Assuming the trade market is weak (no first round picks offered) they should just hold pat and leave him with three options 1) play, 2) hold out or 3) retire.

The first option makes the most sense for everyone. The second option probably gets ugly and jeopardizes his HOF quest in the long run. Retirement would make more sense than holding out (no bridges burnt) but he would be liable to Rams for $32.3m from his signing bonus (and we would want it back to clear cap space).

He doesn't have any leverage if the Rams are willing to let him retire. He should take the guarantees and try to sweeten his contract by another $5mil each season.

I think the long-term effects of the Donald raise and the Kupp extension sobered up the front office.

 

[DzRams]

I highly doubt McVay has final say. Everything has to work out in the collaboration of both these guys. McVay certainly carries a certain weight, but just like he lets his coaches coach, I'm sure he lets his GM do his job as well.

Agreed. I've seen no reports stating that McVay has final say.

When Fisher was here, it was reported many times that he had final say so for that info to not be reported with McVay suggests it's not the case.