The Los Angeles Rams accomplished their biggest goal of the offseason when they restructured Matthew Stafford’s contract to keep him around for at least one more year.
While a deal ultimately got done, it appeared at one point that the veteran quarterback was likely to move on from the Rams. He met with several teams to gauge his value, with some of them reaching the stage of putting together a trade package to acquire him.
However, the Rams stepped up and ensured that Stafford would return for his fifth season with the team. He is now set to earn $44 million this year, which represents a $17 million increase from what he would have gotten before the team reworked his contract.
During an appearance on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” with Kyle Brandt, Rams head coach Sean McVay said Aaron Rodgers would have been a possibility for the team if Stafford went elsewhere:
“Our first priority, which was consistently communicated, was, ‘Hey, let’s work out something with Matthew,’ and we were very fortunate that it worked out that way. If that wasn’t able to occur, then that [Rodgers] was definitely — conversations and a possibility for us. I have a ton of respect for the body of work, and I’ve gotten to know Aaron and enjoy the conversations and just the approach — the way that he thinks about the game and in life. And so, that was a possibility. But our first priority was always to be able to get Matthew back and what I do feel really fortunate about is I think we’re closer than ever. I think sometimes when you’re able to have real conversations, I think you can appreciate the love that’s been built up but also the ability to be honest with one another. I’m really glad that worked out. I know there’s a lot of people in Pittsburgh that are really excited that’s come to fruition, and I’m a big fan of his.”
Rodgers would have been a good fallback plan for the Rams as he fits the mold of a bridge quarterback who is still capable of playing at a high level.
There also would have been some instant chemistry if Rodgers decided to continue his career in L.A. as the team signed his longtime wide receiver Davante Adams at the start of free agency.
In the end though, the Rams are thrilled that things worked out with Stafford as his return gives them continuity for another Super Bowl run.
There was speculation over whether Rodgers would even play this season, but he recently confirmed that by signing a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Steelers preferred Rams’ Matthew Stafford over Aaron Rodgers
The Steelers solved their quarterback problem with a future Hall of Famer in Aaron Rodgers, but a recent report suggested their first preference was to acquire Matthew Stafford from the Rams.
