Stafford wants more pieces after signing team-friendly extension

The Los Angeles Rams didn't have to do much to convince quarterback Matthew Stafford to sign a contract extension this offseason.

However, Stafford - now one of six quarterbacks with an average annual salary of at least $40 million - took less money than he could have to help the Rams build another championship-caliber roster in 2022, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

"I was just trying to find something that felt good for both sides where we are able to continue to add players and pieces around me," Stafford said, per ESPN's Adam Teicher.

The Rams, who acquired Stafford in a trade with the Detroit Lions in March 2021, awarded the 34-year-old with a four-year, $160-million extension after he helped them win Super Bowl LVI in his first season with the team.

"I just had so much fun playing for this team this year, playing for this organization, this coaching staff, and I wanted to make sure I was able to do this for a long time," Stafford said.

Stafford played his first 12 seasons for the Lions and is the franchise's all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns, though he failed to win a playoff game in three appearances.

In his first year with the Rams, he set a franchise single-season record by tossing 4,886 yards in 17 games. The 2009 first overall pick also tied a team record with 41 touchdown passes.

"I obviously wanted to say thanks to the Rams for giving me that opportunity," the signal-caller said. "It was a lot of hard work getting to this point. I'm just happy where we are and to know what the future looks like for me and for our team. It's an exciting thing as a player to kind of know where you are going to be and be able to put some roots down and really go try to make something really special for a while."

The Rams have lost two key starters this offseason. They traded wide receiver Robert Woods to the Tennessee Titans and saw linebacker Von Miller land with the Buffalo Bills in free agency. However, they've signed wideout Allen Robinson, adding a new star pass-catcher to the receiving corps.