The Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay and Rams’ QB Matthew Stafford confirmed his role beyond the 2027 season. He signed a one-year contract extension worth $55 million, keeping him with the team through 2027. While Stafford gave his honest take on his long-term future with the team.

Speaking on the Green Light with Chris Long podcast on Tuesday, Stafford explained that his retirement outlook will continue to be a year-to-year decision, allowing him to evaluate his future without committing too far ahead.

“I don’t know. I think it’s year-to-year because I think it’s fair to the team,” said Stafford. “I think it’s fair to me, my family, like I don’t want to sit there and say, ‘Okay, 24 months from now, I’ve got to be ready to play another football season.’ That just seems like a lot.”

The 38-year-old is coming off an MVP season where he had a league-high 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns with eight interceptions. Stafford had earlier shut down retirement rumors during his MVP speech, confirming his play for the 2026 season, and reiterated it on the podcast.

“I know that I’m ready to play this year and hopefully, I feel great at the end of the next year and I’m ready to play another one after that, and then maybe we just kind of keep going like that,” Stafford shared. “But committing to more than that feels a little bit daunting, and I think a little bit unfair to the team and myself.”

Stafford is now heading to his 18th year in the NFL and his sixth with the Rams. Earlier in the offseason, the Rams handed out a one-year extension worth $55 million. However, Stafford clarified that he would rather stick to his year-by-year approach than sign a multi-year contract extension.

“That last thing I want to do is sign some five-year extension and after one year be like ‘Oh man, I’m ready to retire. I want to spend time with my family,” said Stafford. 

Stafford concluded by confirming the Rams’ agreement to his year-by-year approach and also shared his thoughts on the Myles Garrett-Jared Verse trade.

Stafford’s Take on the Garrett-Verse Trade

In the same podcast, Matthew Stafford shared that while he is thrilled to have Myles Garrett on his team via a blockbuster trade, he’s also upset over losing Jared Verse in it.

“Excited to have him (Garrett),” said the Rams’ quarterback. “Obviously, guts me to lose a guy like Verse because I loved playing with him. A guy that came in as a young player that was beyond his years in his ability and maturity and just wish him all the best.”

Stafford praised Garrett for being an “incredible football player” whose physical traits, stats, and ability are second to none.

He concluded by saying that he’s excited about what’s to come with Garrett around him for the 2026 season.

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Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Rudra Dubey