Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is coming off the best season of his career having thrown for 4,707 yards, 46 touchdowns and eight interceptions en route to winning the first MVP award of his career.
But there’s no overlooking the fact that he just turned 38 and he just a few years removed from a severe spinal cord injury.
Many feel the end of Stafford’s career is rapidly approaching, which is why it would behoove the Rams to start preparing themselves for life after Stafford sooner rather than later, which is why ESPN’s Bill Barnwell believes they should make a play for Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
More News: Maxx Crosby Dealt to NFC Contender in Blockbuster Draft Day Trade Prediction
Barnwell recently proposed the Rams send the No. 13 overall pick — a selection they otherwise wouldn’t have had if not for a draft day trade with the Atlanta Falcons last year — to the Vikings for the No. 18 overall pick, the No. 97 overall pick (Round 3), and McCarthy.
“While (GM Les) Snead is obviously going to want to use his remaining first-round pick to address the 2026 roster, there is also an argument to be made for trying to land his team’s quarterback of the future,” Barnwell wrote. “Stafford is 38 years old. He won league MVP last season, but with any quarterback approaching 40, it’s smart to have a backup plan in place.
More News: Unexpected Tom Brady Decision Leaves Raiders in Tough Spot
More News: Chiefs Bolster Pass-Rush With 38-Sack Pro Bowler in ESPN Trade Idea
“… Is McCarthy a viable solution? The results we’ve seen so far say no. … At the right price, though, taking a flier on McCarthy would make sense. The Vikings are unlikely to move forward with the 2024 ninth overall pick as their quarterback of the future. Getting something for the 23-year-old quarterback would make sense if the organization has decided it is going to be heading in a different direction.”
Though McCarthy’s first two seasons in the NFL have been tumultuous at best, he’s still just 23 years old and some feel he still has enormous untapped potential.
Acquiring McCarthy and allowing him to sit for a year or two behind Stafford might just be the best thing for his development.
The Rams have a relatively young supporting cast — running backs Kyren Williams (25) and Blake Corum (25), wide receiver Puka Nacua (24), tight end Colby Parkinson (27), offensive tackles Alaric Jackson (27) and Warren McClendon (24), and guard Steve Avila (26) — that will presumably still be in place when McCarthy is ready to step into the starting role.
More News: UCLA’s Lauren Betts Reveals WNBA Team She Wants to Draft Her