The Los Angeles Rams aren’t just waiting for Matthew Stafford. They have other concerns this offseason.
It has already been a productive week, with head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead signing extensions to remain with the club. The power duo now must wait to see whether Stafford will return for an 18th NFL season in 2026.
Snead spoke Wednesday, echoing McVay’s thoughts from earlier in the week: They want Stafford back but are willing to give him some time and space to give the Rams an answer.
“We’re going to let Matthew decide,” Snead said, via the Los Angeles Times. “I think we’ve had productive conversations with him, so we’re going to give him his space, right, to let’s call it, recover, rejuvenate and then determine, ‘Hey, do we want to get back on this horse again?’”
Last year, Stafford and the team were in a similar spot, with the quarterback and team agreeing to a new one-year contract extension. Although the contract was not announced until May, the teams of the deal were agreed upon in early March. Could we be looking at a comparable timeline this time around?
“I think all of us want it to be shorter,” Snead said.
One reason is because the Rams have other business to take care of this offseason. In addition to their QB plans changing if Stafford doesn’t return, the Rams also have four significant players eligible for their first contract extension: wide receiver Puka Nacua, defensive tackle Kobie Turner, defensive end Byron Young and guard Steve Avila.
Nacua’s deal might be the most pressing -- and the most costly. The first-team All-Pro receiver led the NFL in receptions (129), first-down receptions (80) and receiving yards per game (107.2) in 16 outings. Nacua also currently leads the postseason in receptions, targets, receiving yards and receiving TDs prior to Super Bowl LX.
“He’s evolved into one of the best,” Snead said of Nacua. “It seems like, OK, that’s a pretty simple contract because it’s pretty self-explanatory where you fall in the ecosystem and the hierarchy.” But, Snead added, there are other variables “that make it more complex than it would seem on the surface level,” but he hopes “to come up with a win-win solution” with his alpha receiver.
Prior to addressing the extensions, they also must deal with pending unrestricted free agents such as cornerback Cobie Durant and safety Kamren Curl. McVay also must make staff additions, including an offensive coordinator.
So with two first-round picks, nearly $50 million in salary-cap space and coming off an appearance in the NFC Championship Game, there’s plenty of excitement and anticipation for the Rams this offseason. But there also is a lot for Snead and the team to figure out.