Stafford’s spouse, Kelly, revealed on her podcast that he cracked 4 ribs in Week 15 in a 12-6 win over the 49ers, although the 16-year veteran didn’t depart the sport. He performed each offensive snap within the Rams’ subsequent two video games earlier than sitting out in Week 18 with the workforce’s playoff seeding already locked in. Stafford returned to the sector within the playoffs and accomplished each video games regardless of aggravating his rib damage in Philadelphia.
Stafford has usually been sturdy all through his profession, beginning a minimum of 15 video games in eight of the final 10 years, that’s partially as a consequence of his willingness to play by accidents. He’ll be 37 years previous when the 2025 season begins, which can naturally result in retirement hypothesis this offseason.
Nonetheless, Stafford has indicated that he’ll be back next season, and head coach Sean McVay has made it clear that Stafford might be his quarterback so long as he’s within the NFL.
The previous Lion is presently set to take up slightly below $50M of the Rams’ 2025 wage cap, presently the fifth-highest cap hit within the NFL. Los Angeles may decrease that quantity with an extension for Stafford, who’s signed by the 2026 season, however the team’s front office has adopted a year-to-year approach to their veteran signal-caller.
They do have to begin excited about Stafford’s successor, both by a draft choice or one other McVay reclamation challenge in free company.