The Los Angeles Rams reportedly wanted one of their star offensive players off the roster this offseason. The Rams took on big contracts in a bid to win a Super Bowl two seasons ago. And while the move paid off with one championship, the Rams are having to pay for it now.
The Rams had to shed several starters from the 2021-22 teams for cap reasons. According to Over The Cap, they have spent the lowest amount of money in free agency, keeping their spending under $10 million. The Rams have just over $10 million to spend before training camp starts.
Matthew Stafford’s contract is one of the reasons the Rams are strapped for cash. His arrival pushed the Rams over head coach Sean McVay’s Super Bowl hump. Now Stafford’s salary is pushing the boundary of the Rams’ salary cap and making it impossible to add the necessary talent to keep them competitive.
NFL News: Los Angeles Rams wanted Matthew Stafford gone
According to former Cleveland Browns general manager Michael Lombardi, the Rams were trying very hard to market Stafford before his bonus kicked in:
“When his option bonus was getting ready to kick in, they attempted with a lot of effort to trade him,” Lombardi said. “Any team could’ve had him. The problem was you had to absorb the $59 million.”
Video: “Before his option bonus was kicking in the Rams attempted with a lot of effort to move Matthew Stafford.”
“Any team could’ve had him.”pic.twitter.com/Q8XJoRWUQh
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) July 8, 2023
The Rams gave Stafford a four-year deal worth $160 million last offseason when the team was still celebrating their Super Bowl victory. One year later, they’re more sober on the former Pro Bowl quarterback. Stafford ended last season on injured reserve with a spinal cord contusion.
Stafford struggled last season before the injury. He started in nine games for the Rams in 2022. Stafford threw for 2,087 yards with ten touchdowns to eight interceptions. He threw for nearly 5,000 yards with 41 touchdowns to 17 interceptions in 2021.
After winning the Super Bowl, the Rams had to offer that contract to Stafford. No fault of their front office, but it looks like the 35-year-old’s contract is an unfortunate deal by year two.
For More Wisconsin Sports:
Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @WiSportsHeroics. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Wisconsin sports, click here! Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks.
1 Comment
As Rams fans, we love writers like Jordan Sigler who casually blow off the amazing run that the Sean McVay era has brought. 6 years, 5 winning seasons, 4 playoffs, 3 division championships, 2 NFC championships, 1 Super Bowl Championship. The Packers would trade everything for that run. Now “they are paying” for it with 1 losing season. The Rams are remaking their roster with innovation and aggression which includes asking if Stafford is the answer – ok by us!