Last offseason, Stafford barely threw or had any reps in training camp. This was also because the quarterback was dealing with a tough back injury. However, according to Sarah Barshop of ESPN, this might change in this offseason.

The reason is simple: the Rams are yet to establish who will be their QB2. Per head coach Sean McVay, it’s “less likely than likely” that Jimmy Garoppolo comes back to the roster. Also, Kirk Cousins, who was on the Rams’ radar, signed for the Raiders.

Sean McVay is not entertaining a life without Stafford, though the team is

McVay recently spoke to the press, and he was asked if he thinks about life once Stafford is gone. He responded “I don’t think about that ever.” While he said that jokingly, he then said the team as a whole thinks of life without Stafford in the “short and long term.”

McVay and Stafford have been one of the best offensive duos in the NFL. The head coach knows how to design plays for the quarterback, and Stafford knows how to deliver on the field.

The Rams need Stafford to succeed

Stafford is 38 years old, so the end is near. However, he just won MVP so the level is still there. Stafford led the NFL in passing yards with 4,707 and in passing touchdowns with 46. He also had a 109.2 passer rating.

With Stafford, who has been on the team since 2021, the Rams have won a Super Bowl, then have gone to the Wild Card (2023), Divisional (2024), and lost the Conference Championship last season. They’ve been perennial contenders in the NFC.

Los Angeles have to face the reality that, sooner or later, the quarterback’s playing career would come to an end. McVay addressed that for NBC. “I don’t think about that, ever,” McVay joked. Stafford arguably had the best season of his career in 2025, winning his first MVP award while leading the Rams to the NFC Championship Game.

“No, you think about it short and long term. And here’s the thing, he’s earned the right to be on a year-to-year basis. If he told me that he wanted to play a couple more years, I’d believe him. If he told me it’s one more year, he’s earned that right. So, we understand that. I do think he’s in a situation where it wouldn’t shock me if he played more than one year. But we also have to be prepared, that if this is the last year, what does that look like?”

How they prepare in case of Stafford’s absence

Jimmy Garoppolo may have competition for the backup role as McVay admitted interest in Kirk Cousins. However, neither Garoppolo nor Cousins appear to be a long-term solution. While Stetson Bennett remains on the roster entering the final year of his rookie deal, he has yet to play in a regular-season game.

For now, any long-term successor at quarterback would have to come from outside the organization. As for the present, while Stafford and the Rams had a lengthy contract negotiation last year, and the quarterback was allowed to meet with other teams before ultimately returning to Los Angeles, things were much smoother in that regard in 2026.

“We’ve had a lot of good discussions and dialogue,” McVay said. “And you know what, it’s really along the lines of, what do you and Kelly Stafford really want? Does that look like, hey, are we going to keep that kind of year in place? Do we do anything additional? Or do we put two years in place? So, he’s working through that. But it’s been a lot smoother than last year, to say the least.”

Stafford’s numbers

Stafford, who turned 38 in February, led the NFL with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns in 2025, winning his first MVP award. He was also named AP first team All-Pro for the first time.

“The Rams don’t seem to be in any rush to sign Garoppolo (or another backup quarterback) at the moment, which begs the question of what their plan is,” Cameron DaSilva of Rams Wire said.

“Do they like Stetson Bennett enough to make him the QB2 behind Stafford? Do they plan to draft someone to compete for the job with Bennett? Are they waiting for Garoppolo’s price to come down?”

Garoppolo is one of the quarterbacks still without a team in free agency. With proven experience in a role behind Stafford, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to see him once again under Sean McVay’s command.

Garoppolo already knows the Rams system

Throughout the 2025 season, Jimmy Garoppolo served as a high-value backup for the Rams, appearing in three games and making one notable start in the regular-season finale. In that Week 18 matchup against the Seahawks, he proved his efficiency by completing 27 of 41 passes for 334 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Having spent the last two years under Sean McVay, Garoppolo has mastered the system’s complexities, with McVay praising his pro demeanor and ability to keep the offense running smoothly during training camp while Matthew Stafford was sidelined. His deep familiarity with the playbook and the coaching staff’s trust made him a key stabilizer for the locker room as they move into 2026.

Stafford’s only backup, for now

Stetson Bennett IV remains with the Los Angeles Rams as he prepares for the 2026 season. After spending his 2023 rookie year on the reserve list, he showed significant flashes of his potential during the 2025 preseason, where he tied for the league lead with 5 passing touchdowns and threw for 512 yards with a 105.7 passer rating.

“…I know it’s the end goal bringing me in is the Lombardi Trophy, so everything we do to bring a ring back to this city is what I’m going to do,” the cornerback revealed via nbcsports.com.

His arrival to Los Angeles came at a very high cost in terms of the four draft picks that the Rams decided to offer Kansas City in return. It will ultimately be a matter of seeing at the end of the next NFL season whether it was worth it.

McDuffie’s championship rings

McDuffie played a pivotal role in the Chiefs’ back-to-back championships, securing titles in Super Bowls LVII and LVIII. As a shutdown corner, he combined elite coverage with high-impact production, recording 13 total tackles and a forced fumble across his first two Super Bowl appearances.

His ability to neutralize top receivers and provide versatility in the secondary made him an indispensable asset during Kansas City’s historic championship run alongside stars such as Patrick Mahomes.

The Rams’ last Super Bowl title

Sean McVay‘s Rams secured their latest NFL title with a thrilling 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. Playing at their home, SoFi Stadium, the Rams relied on a late-game connection between Matthew Stafford and MVP Cooper Kupp, who caught the game-winning touchdown with just 1:25 remaining.

Kupp finished the night with 8 receptions for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns, while the defense, led by Aaron Donald’s two sacks, held firm to clinch the franchise’s second Super Bowl trophy.

McDuffie’s versatility

Although Trent McDuffie is considered one of the best at his position in the league, the former Chiefs player sent a clear message to his new coach regarding his role on the field.

“It don’t matter where you put me,” he said. “I’ll play safety. I’ll put my hand in the dirt. Like, I hope I don’t have to. But, really, I’m just out here wanting to play ball, you know. And no matter where you put me, I’m going to work, day in and day out, to make sure that I do my job at a very high level, and that’s the guy you’re getting.”

Will the Rams add more reinforcements?

Once the news broke that the Philadelphia Eagles indicated that trading AJ Brown seemed inevitable, the Los Angeles Rams emerged as one of the main contenders.

Agreeing to bring in the wide receiver could force the franchise to make additional moves, given that they also have stars of the caliber of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Although negotiations are reportedly on pause, Brown’s arrival to the West Coast could provide a significant boost to Stafford’s offense.

Jimmy Garoppolo served as Stafford’s primary backup until just a few weeks ago, and in a matter of days, he will become a free agent. Will the Rams look for a new face at the position? Judging by the head coach’s remarks, it would appear not.

“I love Jimmy. I would absolutely want him back. I did see those reports too on [Cardinals coach] Mike [LaFleur] trying to steal our guy, but no, Jimmy’s a really good player and so we would love him back,” McVay said to the press about Garoppolo.

“I’m sure he’ll have multiple opportunities and then we’ll see where we’re at. He’s been tremendous for the last couple of years. We’ve loved everything he’s about. You guys know how I feel about him when we’ve spoken about him and we would love him back.

“I’m also not naive to the fact that he’ll probably have a lot of opportunities and if those are things that he wants to pursue that give him a chance to play, I would understand that.”

Potential landing spots for Garoppolo

Several teams are searching for an experienced quarterback for next season, and Garoppolo is an interesting name to fill that role. With plenty of experience that includes a Super Bowl and an NFC Championship Game appearance as the San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback, he could provide insurance for teams needing reliable depth at the position.

His short-term options could be multiple: restructure his contract with the Los Angeles Rams and continue as Matthew Stafford’s backup, or seek a new destination. The Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets are among the teams that could be in the market for a quarterback with credentials, and Garoppolo could comfortably fit into their schemes.

Despite Stafford throwing for 374 yards and three touchdowns, the Rams lost 27-31 against Seattle. Jared Verse, who is an outstanding linebacker for the Rams, appeared on The Pivot podcast. He revealed that the defense had no answers for the Seahawks offense.

“When we started having trouble, we didn’t know what to do. Like some of us on the defense, some, you know, I’m going to take full blame, too,” Verse said. “Like, there were a couple of times I’m like, but they’re running the other way. Like, I don’t know what to do. I can’t chase. Like I’m not that fast. I can’t chase him on the backside. What do I do? So when we had some troubles, we just kind of like mentally shut down.”

The Rams defense just won one of three battles against Seattle

Rams and Seahawks played three times this season. The regular season series saw them divide wins, but the NFC Championship was won by Seattle too. However, the one that the Rams won was thanks to their defense, not Stafford.

In Week 11, the Rams were able to intercept Sam Darnold on four occasions. However, after that, the Seahawks offense adjusted and became unpredictable for the Rams. However, Verse also pointed out that it affected the defense mentally on how to approach the plays.

The Rams might catch a break for next season

The Rams will have a shot at revenge next season. In fact, they’ll have two, as they are divisional rivals. However, the Seahawks might need to adjust more, since Klint Kubiak left his offensive coordinator job to become the Raiders’ head coach. Now, the Seahawks’ offense will enter a whole new style and playbook.

This might give the Rams defense a better outlook for 2026. They don’t have to deal with Kubiak no more. That might help Rams defensive coordinator Chirs Shula gameplan against the Seahawks.

With this backdrop, the Rams are reportedly strategizing for next season, focusing on potential roster additions and player contract negotiations. Notably, Stafford’s contract is under consideration and may undergo changes, as reported by NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

“He is fully healthy this offseason. But there’s still a bit of a question… He is due $41 million this year. I would be surprised, based on what I know, if Stafford played for that. There was a contract discussion last year that kept Stafford in LA. Expect another one for the Rams and a potential raise for their MVP,” mentioned Rapoport during the Super Bowl pregame on NFL Gameday.

Rapoport’s insights into Stafford’s scenario come after the positive news of his MVP award, highlighting his significance to the Los Angeles franchise as the Rams aim to rebound next season.

Stafford’s standout stats in 2025

Stafford’s exceptional regular-season performance bolstered the Rams’ prospects of claiming the NFC title, but the Seahawks ultimately emerged victorious. Here are his standout statistics from the regular season:

• Passing Yards: 4,707
• Passing Touchdowns: 46
• Interceptions: 8
• Completion Percentage: 65.0%
• Passer Rating: 109.2
• Games Played: 17

With these impressive numbers, an adjustment in Stafford’s contract for next season seems almost inevitable. There’s considerable anticipation surrounding the Rams’ forthcoming decisions regarding Stafford and the rest of the roster for the upcoming season.

On Thursday, Stafford was officially named the Most Valuable Player of the 2025 season. With the veteran quarterback making a big revelation about his future, the Rams are wasting no time in surrounding him with additional support on Sean McVay’s coaching staff.

Just one day after Stafford confirmed he would continue playing next season, Los Angeles hired Kliff Kingsbury, the former offensive coordinator of the Washington Commanders. The move signals a clear commitment to strengthening the offense and maximizing Stafford’s MVP-level performance.

Will Kliff Kingsbury be the Rams’ offensive coordinator?

NFL insider Adam Schefter reported Friday that Kingsbury will indeed join the Rams for the 2026 season. However, multiple reports indicate that he will not take over as the team’s offensive coordinator.

Kingsbury’s exact role has not yet been disclosed, suggesting that he will not fill the vacancy left by Mike LaFleur. As things stand, the Rams’ search for a new offensive coordinator appears to be ongoing.

The hire also reflects the long-standing connection between Kingsbury and McVay. Back in 2018, McVay reportedly attempted to bring Kingsbury onto his staff as an offensive assistant. That move never materialized, as Kingsbury instead accepted the Arizona Cardinals’ head coaching position in 2019.

McVay spoke to Gary Klein of the L.A. Times. He said, “That’s the start to everything, is your quarterback position. And to be able to have a guy that’s playing as good as he’s ever played — and it’s sustainable,” McVay honestly stated. “You start all over, but man, when he says he’s in, that gives you a lot of confidence and excitement of how we can move forward.”

McVay also spoke on the fact that Stafford won the MVP. “So, really happy for him. He’s the most humble superstar I’ve ever been around, and it’s really cool. So if we can’t be playing, this is a good consolation process.” McVay is a massive fan of Stafford and feels the team can win it all with him under center.

Stafford was on a whole other level this season

Almost solidifying himself as a Hall of Famer by winning the MVP, the fact is that Stafford was incredibly effective in 2025. Stafford completed 65% of his passes for a league-leading 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns. He also had a 109.2 passer rating. Stafford was genuinely outstanding.

Much was said about the future of Stafford. In the last offseason, Stafford suffered a serious back injury and that put him in jeopardy and his career was put into questioned. However, the fact is he not only recovered, but deliver his best season ever.

McVay is going all in with expectations

A while back, Sean McVay also said what he expected the team to do with Davante Adams. One thing is for sure, McVay hates to lose. He has the Rams as a top-tier team and the fact is he might be right.

The offense is great and experienced, while the defense is elite and young. Hence, the Rams should definitely be confident going back as a contender to win it all. Also, having McVay as the head coach of course helps out.

“To my four beautiful daughters who I am lucky enough to be sharing the stage with … I am so happy to have you at the games, on the sideline with me, and I can’t wait for you to cheer me on next year when we’re out there kicking a–.”

Stafford narrowly beat out Drake Maye for the MVP award by just one vote. The Rams veteran received a total of 24 votes, and despite Maye reaching the Super Bowl, it ultimately was not enough to swing the final result.

Stafford’s career brought him to this exact historic moment

Stafford’s résumé already reads like a Hall of Fame case: 239 games, 64,516 passing yards, 423 touchdowns, a Super Bowl LVI title, and hardware ranging from Comeback Player of the Year to All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. After 17 seasons, the only thing missing was an MVP. In 2025, he finally checked that box.

Stafford wasn’t just the Most Valuable Player by vote, he was the most valuable quarterback by every serious metric. He led the league in PFF WAR, finished as the highest-graded QB overall, and dominated when kept clean, on play-action, and on throws of 20-plus yards, while also producing the most Big Time Throws. Elite during the regular season and even better when the stakes rose.

The MVP is a regular-season award, but Stafford’s postseason made the choice feel inevitable. He averaged 312 yards per game with six touchdowns and one interception, edging Drake Maye by a single vote in one of the closest MVP races ever.

As for Tom Brady, who is regarded as the greatest player of all time, he won two MVPs at 37 years old. Another superstar in the NFL like Aaron Rodgers won three MVP awards at the exact age that Stafford just won it.

The Rams quarterback beat other contenders like Patriots’ QB Drake Maye by just five points (366-361). According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Stafford had 24 first-place votes to Drake Maye’s 23. This would make the MVP race the closest since Peyton Manning and Steve McNair were co-MVPs in 2003.

Stafford could cement a Hall of Fame career with this award

Overlooked for the first 12 seasons of his career while playing for Detroit, Stafford was always seen as talented, but not much more after that. However, once he arrived in Los Angeles, everything changed. His talent got rewarded with a Super Bowl victory in his first year with the Rams.

Stafford now has a Super Bowl and an MVP to his name. Pair that with a career 64,516 passing yards and 423 touchdowns and there is a big argument to make Stafford a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

The Rams saved Stafford’s career

If it were not for the Stafford-Goff trade, Stafford would’ve likely ended his career in Detroit with no postseason success and likely a losing career record. In fact, Stafford’s career record is 120-118-1. With the Rams alone, Stafford’s record is 46-28. Hence, the Lions were really wasting the career of a now-MVP of the NFL.