By committing himself to the Rams for at least one more season, Matthew Stafford pushed all his poker chips to the center of the desk.
The Rams want to be all in as properly.
Stafford, the club’s 37-year-old quarterback, confirmed on Thursday that he’ll be back in 2026. He did so while concurrently gathering the first MVP award in his illustrious 17-year NFL profession.
The setting could not have been more acceptable. Not only was he telling the Rams he’s coming back for an eighteenth season, but he did so while being acknowledged as the greatest player in the league.
Los Angeles, Rams’ Matthew Stafford poses after profitable the AP Most Valuable Player award during the NFL Honors award present, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Matt York) AP
You couldn’t assist but think that it was a pleasant reminder to them — or at least a trace — that his recommitment should come with a price ticket. Like, say, a pay elevate reflective of the lofty place he holds on the NFL pecking order.
It’s one of the bins the Rams must now examine, realizing their star quarterback is back in the fold.
What is next for the Rams:
Re-do Stafford’s contract
When Stafford and the Rams re-did his contract last March, the two sides basically agreed on two one-year offers for $42 million each season.
The next $42 million kicks in on March 16. It’s a large quantity to be positive, but it falls brief of what top-tier quarterbacks are at the moment making. The Cowboys Dak Prescott tops that record at $60 million for 2026, with the Bills Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, and Jordan Love all making $55 million. In all, 15 quarterbacks will make more than Stafford next yr.
The Rams can simply make it proper by giving Stafford a pay elevate. But they should do so on the contingency that he will commit through the 2027 season, shopping for them two more years of quarterback certainty and the vital time to add his inheritor obvious.
Something alongside the strains of a three-year deal, with the third season voidable, for a assured $110 million could get it finished.
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay reacts on the sideline during the first half of the NFC Championship NFL soccer recreation against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear) AP
Stay away from quarterback in April’s Draft
If the Rams get a actual dedication from Stafford for two more seasons, they can be more selective in how and when they discover his eventual substitute.
The 2026 draft is basically a one-quarterback celebration, with Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza the only actual certainty among the sign callers.
That doesn’t imply another prospect won’t ultimately push through, but odds are this won’t be thought of a good draft at that place.
The Rams should resist the urge to use one of their first-round picks on a mission quarterback as a consequence, and wait until next yr, when a far deeper pool of prospects will be obtainable, to tackle quarterback.
Draft USC receiver Makai Lemon
Yes, the Rams had the top-ranked offense in the NFL last yr. But you can never have too many weapons, and with Davante Adams getting to the finish of the line, the club wants to discover a appropriate companion for Puka Nacua.
If Adams is back next season, the explosive Lemon could get intentionally phased in and developed to set him up for large moments and a vivid future.
He will be a day-one impression player, only in the excellent state of affairs for his development.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 29: Makai Lemon #6 of the USC Trojans runs with the ball during the second quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 29, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) Getty Images
Help at cornerback
The Rams want to improve their cornerback room. It was a place that let them down in key moments last yr, and that merely can’t be the case again in 2026.
The draft presents lots of choices, and Rams normal supervisor Les Snead always does a good job discovering worth all through the draft.
But the want is too vital to wait on that software, not to mention the time it might take to develop the prospect.
Thankfully, the offseason could have some intriguing names for the Rams to think about, with the Buccaneers Jamel Dean, the Chiefs’ Jaylen Watson, and the Seahawks Tariq Woolen all slated to hit free company.
And with a projected $46.7 million in wage cap house, the Rams have the vital flexibility to add at least one starter at that place.
Los Angeles Rams broad receiver Puka Nacua (12) reacts after making a catch during the first half of the NFC Championship NFL soccer recreation against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) AP
Extend Nacua
The price ticket to hold one of the greatest broad receivers in the recreation is only going to develop if the Rams put it off another yr. Nacua has one more yr on his rookie deal, but he is extension eligible this offseason, and the club could use the alternative to do a deal that works for Nacua and their wage cap.
By extending him this yr, they can assemble it in a means that minimizes the cap hit this yr and get him under contract on this yr’s worth level, rather than next yr’s.
A four-year deal with $92 million absolutely assured could be the quantity that gets it finished.
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