Despite being key in the Los Angeles Rams winning the Super Bowl in 2022 and plans for him to be their starter again in 2023, the organization reportedly listened to trade offers for Matthew Stafford in the spring.
Over the last 14 years, Matthew Stafford has been one of the more prolific passers in the league when healthy. He has thrown for over 4,000 yards eight times and was one of the few bright spots for the Detrioit Lions over a 12-year period. Unsurprisingly, the Los Angeles Rams saw him as the key ingredient in a championship team in 2021-2022, and they were right.
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However, while the one-time Pro Bowler was huge for the team during their run to the Super Bowl in the 2022 season, his health issues reared their head again this past season as an ongoing elbow issue limited him to just nine games last season, and when he did play, it was not up to the same level as the previous year.
That is why there was some speculation that the 35-year-old quarterback’s days with the Los Angeles Rams were numbered. Yet, with training camps now open and preparation beginning for the 2023 season he is set to be under center in Week 1 for the team. However, that doesn’t mean the organization was not open to moving him in the offseason, especially with a sizable roster bonus coming his way in the spring.
Los Angeles Rams turned away trade interest in Matthew Stafford this spring
On Thursday, ESPN reported that “The Los Angeles Rams were approached by other teams about quarterback Matthew Stafford in the offseason.” The organization, obviously, did not accept any possible offers that may have been made. The stance to hold on to the aging QB for another season was reportedly “unanimous.”
“There was a consistent and unanimous dialogue and understanding. When that March deadline came in terms of him being due the bonus that he’s deserved and that he’s earned, we were all in unanimous agreement that we wanted him to be the quarterback,” head coach Sean McVay said after the team’s first training camp practice this week.
Matthew Stafford has three years and $84 million left on the four-year, $160 million extension he signed with the team before last season.