Before re-signing with the Rams last week, quarterback Matthew Stafford had to navigate some challenges. He sought what he felt was a fair deal from L.A. after leading an inexperienced, injury-plagued roster to the conference semifinals, but at 37, the Rams were hesitant to commit. The team even encouraged him to explore trade options.
There were rumors linking Stafford to the Raiders and Giants, but ultimately, he never wanted to leave L.A., the team he led to a Super Bowl title in 2022 after being traded from the Lions.
On the “New Heights” podcast with Travis and Jason Kelce, Stafford reflected, “It was kind of a mutual process. I remember when I was traded from Detroit to L.A. … I spent so much time on Zillow looking at houses, wondering, ‘Where will I live? Where will my kids go to school?’
“In the end, I knew the Rams wanted me back, and I wanted to stay. We just had to work it out.”
Despite his age, Stafford threw for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 16 games last season, ranking among the league’s top quarterbacks. The Rams would have struggled to replace him.
His wife Kelly, who co-hosts the popular podcast “The Morning After with Kelly Stafford & Hank,” fully supported his decision.
“Let’s go! [I’m so] excited. Thank goodness,” she said on the Give Them Lala podcast. “That was always what I wanted and what my husband wanted. We didn’t want to leave. He loves the Rams, so we’re just thrilled—one, to be here, and two, that it’s settled.”
Kelly Stafford wasn’t keen on the idea of moving to New York or Las Vegas either.
“The relief I felt was unbelievable,” she admitted via Us Magazine. “Waking up every morning to a new headline … some rumor, some source claiming my husband was being traded or staying—it was something different every single day.”