McVay: Rams never got close to trading Stafford
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay says the idea of trading Matthew Stafford didn't get very far.
"Been sleeping better these last couple days," McVay said Monday, according to The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue.
"(Trading Stafford) was never something that felt like ever got close, and it was never something that I allowed my mind to go to," McVay added, per ESPN's Sarah Barshop.
Stafford and the Rams agreed to a restructured contract Friday. The New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders had reportedly been pushing for a deal with the quarterback before he re-signed with the Rams. Stafford's love for Southern California and playing under McVay were two of the biggest factors for staying in Los Angeles, Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reports.
The 37-year-old will be getting a significant raise in 2025 that will still be less than what was offered by the Giants and the Raiders, Breer adds. McVay noted in his press conference Monday that Stafford would be on a year-to-year deal but wants the 37-year-old to stay for as long as he wants to play, per Rodrigue.
Stafford has been with the Rams since the 2021 season. He's thrown for 14,700 yards and 95 touchdowns over four campaigns and helped the franchise win Super Bowl LVI. Los Angeles went 10-7 in the 2024 regular season and qualified for the playoffs before falling to the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round.
McVay also said the Rams will retain tight end Tyler Higbee and offensive tackle Rob Havenstein for the 2025 season.