The Los Angeles Rams, who had been rumored to be searching for Matthew Stafford’s replacement for months, did not select a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, recent NFL news has focused on the two sides’ contract disputes.

A day after the first round of the NFL Draft, Stafford, who had finished an MVP-caliber season with a resurgent Rams offense, declared his desire for a revised contract. The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport stated that the Super Bowl-winning quarterback looked for a new contract that would give him more guaranteed money and long-term stability.

With NFL revenue surging and contracts for the highest-paid players in the league following suit, Stafford already had a compelling argument from Los Angeles to get an increase in guaranteed salary. The Rams were reportedly very interested in the 2024 quarterback class, as he prepared for the 2024 season.

Even if the Rams did not choose a quarterback in the end, they have just one year ago used a fourth-round pick to acquire Stetson Bennett. When Adam Schein of Sirius XM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio questioned head coach Sean McVay about the issue, there were increasing doubts about Stafford’s future in Los Angeles.

We’re lucky to have him as our quarterback as long as he wants to play, but we were taking things one year at a time.

Regarding Matthew Stafford’s prospects with the Los Angeles Rams, Sean McVay (H/T NBC Sports)

The Rams do have a case for the year-to-year strategy, to be sure. Like the Green Bay Packers were with Aaron Rodgers a few years ago, it’s unclear how long Stafford plans to continue playing. But because of his performance, the 36-year-old quarterback now has some additional guarantees on his contract.

Stats for Matthew Stafford (2023): 9.6 passer rating, 3,965 passing yards, 24-11 touchdown-interception ratio, 62.6% completion percentage, 7.6 yards per attempt, and 9–6 record

Although Stafford’s deal is theoretically guaranteed until the 2026 season, his future obligations are limited at $31 million. The Rams may potentially cut him after the 2024 campaign, classifying him as a post-June 1 release, which would free up $22 million in cap space.

Stafford appears to be seeking more commitment from the Rams organization in the form of a higher guaranteed pay in 2025 and a contract that indicates he will be the team’s face for the next two seasons at the very least. It would be shocking if McVay’s assertion and Stafford’s significance to the offense and the team didn’t lead the parties to agree to a renegotiated contract this season.