Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, the 2025 NFL Most Valuable Player, has signed a one-year, $55 million contract extension, keeping the superstar in place through 2027.
The additional contract year, following the two-year, $84 million deal signed last year and running through the 2026 season, keeps Stafford in Los Angeles and now places him near the top of the NFL quarterback compensation chart. Meanwhile, the Rams are set for a league-leading seven primetime television appearances this season, tying an NFL record, and adding the extra contract year ensures that 2026 will not be a lame-duck campaign for the 38-year old.
With incentives, Stafford’s 2027 compensation could reach $60 million. It’s not clear, however, how much of that money is guaranteed. Stafford is already the NFL’s all-time leader in on-field career earnings at $408.3 million, according to Spotrac, and the upcoming contract years could bump that total beyond $500 million.
The latest extension also further heralds the late-career flourish that Stafford has had. He started his career with 12 up-and-down seasons with Detroit that included just three playoff appearances—each ending in first-round losses.
After arriving to the Rams in early 2021 in a trade for Jared Goff and several draft picks, though, Stafford led Los Angeles to the Super Bowl LVI title in his first season there. He then followed that up with three more playoff appearances. The Rams are the current odds leader to win Super Bowl LXI—which will be played at the team’s home facility, SoFi Stadium.
The extension, meanwhile, reflects an adjusted mindset for Stafford. He previously had been operating on something of a year-to-year basis on whether to keep playing. At the NFL Honors ceremony before Super Bowl LX in February, Stafford used that platform to announce his return for the 2026 season.
“I’ll see you guys next year,” he said at the time. “Hopefully, I’m not at this event, and we’re getting ready for another game at SoFi.”
Transition Issues
The Stafford extension also likely delays the Rams’ shift to potential quarterback successor Ty Simpson. Los Angeles surprised many draft observers by selecting Simpson, previously Alabama’s quarterback, with the No. 13 pick after he started only one season for the Crimson Tide.
Despite that pick, Rams head coach Sean McVay insisted the starting position is Stafford’s as long as he wants it.
“It is Matthew’s football team,” McVay said. “[I’m] excited to be able to add Ty. What a blessing it is for him to be able to learn from Matthew … but whenever that time comes for him to get an opportunity to be Matthew’s successor will be on Matthew’s terms.”
