Former Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford will return to Detroit on Sunday, September 8, to begin the 2024 NFL regular season with his Los Angeles Rams.
Stafford is under contract with the Rams through 2026, but one NFL writer believes his time as the franchise quarterback may end sooner.
In a September 5 feature on the top 2025 NFL free agency landing spots for Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox made the case that Prescott could land with the Rams heading into the 2025 NFL season.
The Rams are the second most likely team to sign Prescott, behind only the Los Vegas Raiders.
Rams, Matthew Stafford Will ‘Reassess’ After 2024:
Report If Stafford isn’t back with Los Angeles in 2025, Knox asserted that the Rams would “immediately become a top landing spot for Prescott.”
However, Knox wrote that Stafford’s contract situation will get very interesting after this year.
When Stafford agreed to restructure his deal in July, he essentially surrendered his 2025 guarantees to secure more guaranteed money upfront.
Stafford may leave the team after 2024, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, considering the terms of his deal. In essence, it’s a $40 million contract that lasts a year.
He renounced his other promises for 2025. In July, Pelissero tweeted, “Translation: Play this season and then all sides reassess.”
Knox also discussed the ambiguity around Stafford’s potential stay on the team in his writing.
Knox stated,
“The 36-year-old Stafford and general manager Les Snead may reevaluate the sensibility of a new long-term contract if he stays healthy and plays well this season.”
It is possible, nevertheless, that Stafford’s evaluation will result in a choice to retire.
He stated, “The Rams have a quarterback-friendly coach in Sean McVay, a playoff-caliber roster, and enough financial flexibility to make a competitive contract offer.”
However, based on his remarks from August 12 on the “Pardon My Take” podcast, Stafford doesn’t seem prepared to retire after this season.
“I’m grateful for this game,” Stafford remarked. It’s really helpful to me.
I’m hoping to last another three or four [seasons]. We’ll see. Every year is brand fresh. However, I feel OK.
Matthew Stafford is prepared to “Feel the Crowd” when the Detroit Lions visit Ford Field.
On Wednesday, September 4, prior to the Rams’ practice, Stafford and McVay had interviews the media.
They talked about returning to Ford Field and the kind of reception Stafford anticipates from Lions supporters.
On January 14 of this year, Stafford participated in a playoff game at Ford Field, which the Lions won. Stafford remarked, “I feel the crowd 100 percent.” “A driving force.
I adore it. I’d like to hear everything. I’d like to inhale its scent. I want the atmosphere to be that of football.
That is an aspect of playing football, particularly when you are traveling. That kind of stuff just inspires me.
“I’m going to be a lot more at ease being an opponent in that field than I was, I suppose, last year,” he continued.
Erickson, AnneAward-winning reporter Anne Erickson works for Heavy.com, covering college and NFL football.
With years of experience covering the NFL and other sports, Erickson’s writing has appeared on ESPN, Fox Sports, and other platforms.
Among the top stars in sports that she has interviewed are quarterback Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions. In addition, Erickson is a radio broadcaster headquartered in Detroit and presents other podcasts.Additional details regarding Anne Erickson