Los Angeles Rams veteran starting quarterback Matthew Stafford is rumored to be moved this offseason. The Rams are entering a bit of a transitional period, proven by their public desire to trade superstar wide receiver Cooper Kupp. It's a move that has apparently displeased Stafford and made him consider his own future in L.A.
Designating Stafford as a post-June-1 release would generate $23 million in cap savings but also creates a dead-money penalty of $26 million. Trading the veteran signal-caller would upgrade the savings to $27 million with a slightly lower penance of $22.6 million. You don't give away Stafford without receiving compensation, so a trade remains the more realistic outcome.
Several potential suitors will emerge if Stafford is placed on the trading block. We've identified the most likely landing spots, using Sportsbook.AG's current betting odds.
THE BETTING FAVORITE: MINNESOTA VIKINGS (+300)
It's a little shocking to see the Minnesota Vikings listed as betting favorites. They have enough in-house quarterback questions to sort through before even thinking about joining the race for Stafford. Current starter Sam Darnold is scheduled for unrestricted free agency. Darnold appeared on track to receive a lucrative extension before playing poorly in a regular-season finale that decided the division title, and again in a disappointing blowout wild-card defeat.
First-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy is waiting for his opportunity. If the Vikings decide to move on from Darnold, it's almost certainly to insert their long-term franchise quarterback into the lineup. Furthermore, would the Rams even consider trading Stafford to the Vikings, a potential playoff opponent?
MY PICK: NEW YORK GIANTS (+400)
The New York Giants have been the team most publicly linked to Stafford and it's easy to understand why. The Giants own the No. 3 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. They don't possess a guaranteed opportunity to draft top quarterback prospects, Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders.
General manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll are under immense pressure to deliver immediate results in 2025 or they'll be fired. Rookie quarterbacks often struggle, potentially influencing the Giants to lean on a proven veteran instead. Daboll's offense has an underrated supporting cast in place, from Malik Nabers to Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Theo Johnson, with a franchise left tackle in Andrew Thomas. Stafford could potentially make the Giants surprise wild-card contenders in 2025, which is what the current regime needs to survive another season.
A WORTHY UNDERDOG: PITTSBURGH STEELERS (+900)
The Pittsburgh Steelers feel like a team that should be doing all it can to enter the Stafford sweepstakes. They possess a veteran roster in win-now mode. Head coach Mike Tomlin routinely qualifies his Steelers for the postseason. Lackluster quarterback play makes them wild-card fodder when the elimination tournament starts.
Both their 2024 starting quarterbacks, Russell Wilson, and Justin Fields, are slated for free agency. Fields probably won't be re-signed, and Wilson could garner interest elsewhere, including a potential reunion with his long-term head coach Pete Carroll in Las Vegas. Stafford would represent an upgrade on both quarterbacks, and the Rams would probably prefer to trade him to the AFC.
