The Rams and Matthew Stafford have discussed a potential extension that would keep the quarterback in Los Angeles beyond the 2026 season, head coach Sean McVay told reporters Tuesday.
Stafford announced in his MVP trophy acceptance speech that he won’t retire and will return for an 18th season. The 38-year-old has negotiated a new contract each of the last two offseasons, but his current deal is set to expire after next campaign.
“We’ve had great dialogue,” McVay said when asked whether Stafford would play on the final year of his contract, according to ESPN’s Sarah Barshop. “I think the good thing is that communication that exists. (I) feel confident about being able to work those things out.
“We were obviously really fired up, had a sense that that was the direction it was going to go, but that’s always the first, that’s always as important as anything is having a guy like him excited and motivated to continue to play at a good clip.”
Along with his first MVP award, Stafford earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2026 to cap off the best season of his career. He led the league in passing yards (4,707) and passing touchdowns (46) while completing 65% of his throws.
The Rams lost the NFC championship to the Seattle Seahawks, but Stafford finished the game with 390 total yards, three touchdowns, and a 127.6 passer rating.
Stafford has been with the Rams for five seasons since being acquired in a trade with the Detroit Lions. In his first year with the team, the Rams won Super Bowl LVI, the franchise’s first Lombardi Trophy since the 1999 season.
“I do think everything starts with that position … so you don’t take for granted how lucky you are to have a guy like him running the show,” McVay said. “And that’s why we want to do as good a job as we can of taking advantage of these opportunities.”
The Rams have the ninth-most cap space in the league at just over $42 million, according to Spotrac. Safety Kam Curl, cornerback Roger McCreary, and tight end Tyler Higbee are some Rams players set to become unrestricted free agents next week.
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