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An explosive, expressionist painting captures the raw energy and skill of veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford as the Rams plan for both the short-term and long-term future.Stafford Today
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who turns 38 this year, has committed to playing in the 2026 season. Head coach Sean McVay says the team has discussed a contract restructure that could add additional years for Stafford, and McVay believes the veteran QB could play beyond the 2026 season. The Rams are planning both for the short-term with Stafford and the long-term future at quarterback.
Why it matters
Stafford’s future is crucial for the Rams, who won the Super Bowl in 2021 with the veteran QB. As Stafford nears the end of his career, the Rams must balance maximizing their championship window with Stafford while also preparing for life after the 38-year-old eventually retires.
The details
Stafford is entering the final year of a two-year, $84.4 million contract that the Rams reworked last offseason. McVay said the team has discussed a contract restructure that could add additional years for Stafford, indicating the Rams want to keep the veteran QB beyond the 2026 season. Despite Stafford’s age, McVay praised the QB’s play, saying ‘he’s like a fine wine’ and is ‘getting better with age’ after an MVP-caliber 2025 season.
Stafford turned 38 in February 2026.Stafford is entering his 18th NFL season in 2026.
The players
Matthew Stafford
The 38-year-old quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams who is entering the final year of his contract in 2026 but could play beyond that season.
Sean McVay
The head coach of the Los Angeles Rams who has a close relationship with Stafford and is planning for both the short-term and long-term future at quarterback.
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What they’re saying
“’Sean McVay said the Rams do think about life after Matthew Stafford, though ‘it wouldn’t shock me if he played more than one year.””
— Sean McVay, Head Coach, Los Angeles Rams
“’McVay said Rams have discussed with Stafford a contract restructure which could add additional years, but conversations have been ‘a lot smoother than last year.””
— Sean McVay, Head Coach, Los Angeles Rams
“’Our relationship went to different levels … as a result of some of the hard conversations we had to have last year. And I think that’s one of the things that [I’ve] started to learn. And when you get into a leadership role for a handful of years, and you learn from a lot of mistakes you’ve made, there’s nothing wrong with loving people enough to tell them the truth. Being courageous enough to have some of those hard conversations. And I think we were able to have a lot of dialogue, really, with he and his family,’”
— Sean McVay, Head Coach, Los Angeles Rams
“’He works so hard. He does so much behind the scenes, and his teammates love him. It’s a real blessing to be able to work with him. And so, it’s cool. I’m glad we’re not talking about the things we did last year, while also acknowledging it was a blessing to go through that because we got closer in the midst of it.’”
— Sean McVay, Head Coach, Los Angeles Rams
What’s next
The Rams and Stafford will continue contract discussions that could add additional years to the veteran QB’s deal, allowing him to play beyond the 2026 season.
The takeaway
The Rams are committed to maximizing their championship window with the 38-year-old Stafford, but they are also planning for the future at quarterback, whether that means Stafford plays beyond 2026 or the team needs to groom his successor.