Tag: Stafford

Oct 6, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay talks to quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Rams prefer Matthew Stafford at QB1, work through complex appraisal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

INDIANAPOLIS — Only Aaron Rodgers has more career earnings as an NFL quarterback than current Los Angeles Rams starter Matthew Stafford, but it’s possible finances send the latter to a new destination for 2025.

Rams head coach Sean McVay, who courted Stafford before Los Angeles traded Jared Goff and multiple draft picks in a swap of starting quarterbacks before the 2022 season, clarified Tuesday that the preference from the team’s perspective is to stick with Stafford. But the Rams are in limbo as Stafford’s representatives contact other teams to assess his market value, which required the Rams’ signoff.

In an interview with ex-NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and Andrew Whitworth, who played for the Rams and McVay before retiring, on the “Fitz & Whit” podcast, McVay attempted to clarify that Los Angeles would love to keep Stafford, 37.

“There’s no discrepancy on us wanting him to continue to lead the way and be our quarterback. The interesting and the challenging dilemma and dynamics within this are, ‘Hey, how do you continuously as a head coach look at the short term and the long term and be able to figure out what does that really look like?’” McVay said on the podcast.

Stafford has two years remaining on his current contract with a salary of $27 million in 2025 and only $4 million guaranteed. By base salary — $23 million — Stafford is No. 8 in the NFL using current salary information. His cap number is fifth-highest in the league at $49.67 million for next season.

The Rams view of the salary and contract came due to a difference of opinion with Stafford’s camp. McVay said the Rams had “something in mind, (agent Jimmy Sexton and Stafford) had something and mind and nobody was right or wrong,” so they hatched the plan to transparently gauge value.

Even with the public appraisal pending, there stands a chance the Rams will decide to look at another quarterback.

“There is no dispute — and let’s not get it twisted in regarding to anybody wanting him to be our quarterback. Now, there’s layers to it,” McVay said. “You have to be able to say, ‘Hey, how do we continuously build? How do we support him? How do we make sure that he’s getting what is his worth relative to those things?’”

Stafford is among the league’s statistical greats, ranked 10th all-time in career passing yards (59,809) and touchdown passes (377), and ninth in both pass completions and attempts. He’s 5-2 with the Rams in the playoffs, including a victory in Super Bowl LVI in 2022, after going 0-3 over his 12 seasons in Detroit.

–Field Level Media

Oct 6, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay talks to quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Rams, Sean McVay anxious for QB Matthew Stafford’s decision on ’25

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Sean McVay wants to avoid what happened last offseason when the Los Angeles Rams spent months in limbo awaiting clarity from Matthew Stafford.

After reaching the playoffs and beating the Minnesota Vikings in the wild-card round, Los Angeles ended its season with a road loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC divisional playoffs last week, thus restarting the cycle of Stafford questions for the coach.

“We don’t want to have that go on again,” McVay said of Stafford stringing out a final call on whether he’ll play another season. “I don’t think that’s good for anybody. I think sooner than later, being able to get that clarity. Understanding clear, open and honest communication. I think there’s a lot of love coming from our part. I think there’s a lot of appreciation coming from his part as well. And I think a lot sooner than later is an ideal scenario.”

McVay did not fully commit to keeping Stafford as the QB1 in 2025. His plan, as usual, is to begin charting a course at quarterback, then expanding to other positions.

“The quarterback is always the first thing in mind as it relates to how you move forward with the team,” McVay said.

Stafford was acquired from the Lions in a deal in which the Rams sent Jared Goff and draft picks that ultimately landed wide receiver Jameson Williams, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, tight end Sam LaPorta and others in Detroit. Thirteen months after the trade was completed, Stafford and McVay were celebrating a win in Super Bowl LVI in February 2022.

Asked whether the Rams are definitively committed to Stafford in his 17th NFL season if he doesn’t retire, McVay was vague.

“We’ll talk about all those things at the appropriate time,” he said. “I love him. I love working with him.”

Stafford is among the league’s statistical greats, ranked 10th all-time in career passing yards (59,809) and touchdown passes (377), and ninth in both pass completions and attempts. He’s 5-2 with the Rams in the playoffs after going 0-3 over his 12 seasons in Detroit.

Stafford said he feels like he’s playing good enough football to return. He turns 37 two days before the Super Bowl and is recovering from a rib injury McVay confirmed was a factor in his performance, although it didn’t keep Stafford out of practice. Stafford’s wife, Kelly, said her husband played the final games of the season with five broken ribs suffered in a 12-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers last month.

McVay said tests on Stafford were taken after the game and “nothing showed up on that imaging.”

“But he did have some irritation. And then before the Minnesota game when he did get an MRI scan there showed some stress reactions. That was what was communicated to me,” McVay said.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) prior to a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images

Rams WR Cooper Kupp questionable for Week 7; Nacua next week?

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Cooper Kupp is questionable to play on Sunday but Rams head coach Sean McVay is optimistic the No. 1 receiver is ready to roll when Los Angeles hosts the Las Vegas Raiders.

Kupp has been out with a high left ankle sprain, an injury that hit Week 2 at the Arizona Cardinals. He caught 14 passes Week 1 against the Lions.

Two weeks ago, McVay said this week’s matchup against the Raiders was “an ideal target” for Kupp’s return. The Rams are returning from their bye week.

“(The Raiders game) was always an optimistic target date just based on a few weeks back that we had set,” McVay said. “But by no means is that guaranteed.”

The Rams are not ready to bring Puka Nacua back from knee surgery, but the wide receiver is expected to be back soon. He had four catches for 35 yards before exiting the Sunday night opener at Detroit on Sept. 8. He was placed on injured reserve with a sprained PCL. The Rams have a short week of preparation after playing the Raiders with the currently undefeated Minnesota Vikings (5-0) up next on Thursday night.

Kupp, 31, has 18 receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown in two games this season. He has amassed 585 catches for 7,213 yards and 52 scores over his eight-year career. The Rams selected him in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Eastern Washington.

His best season came in 2021, when he led the NFL in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947), receiving touchdowns (16) and receiving yards per game (114.5) en route to his only Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors to date. He caught the game-winning touchdown in that year’s Super Bowl, for which he was named MVP.

–Field Level Media

Jan 14, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) runs during the second half of a 2024 NFC wild card game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Rams RB Kyren Williams had surgery on broken hand

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Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams underwent surgery to repair a broken bone in his hand, head coach Sean McVay told reporters Wednesday.

McVay also confirmed reports that tight end Tyler Higbee tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee.

Both players were injured in the Rams’ NFC wild-card loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

Williams, 23, left the game in the fourth quarter after rushing for 61 yards and catching one pass for 9 yards.

On the season, Williams rushed for 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns in 12 games (11 starts), earning a Pro Bowl nod. He also caught 32 passes for 206 yards and three TDs.

Higbee was hurt on a low hit by Lions safety Kerby Joseph in the second half. McVay said he didn’t have a timeline for Higbee but said he’s a candidate for the physically unable to perform list ahead of next season.

Higbee, 31, caught 47 passes for 495 yards and two touchdowns in 15 starts in his eighth season with the Rams.

McVay also said that the team remains “100 percent” committed to quarterback Matthew Stafford.

“Absolutely. Unequivocally yes.”

McVay also said that his coaching staff will remain intact unless someone leaves for another job.

“If there are changes, it will only be for better opportunities,” he said. “We’ll have the same group back.”

Defensive line coach Eric Henderson is leaving for a job at Southern Cal, and McVay said he’ll wait to replace him until defensive coordinator Raheem Morris’ situation is settled. Morris is interviewing for head coaching jobs.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) warms up before the game against the Washington Commanders at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

49ers holding out QB Brock Purdy in finale, Sam Darnold to start

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The San Francisco 49ers are holding out quarterback Brock Purdy from Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams and will start Sam Darnold in his place.

The 49ers (12-4) have already clinched the top seed and home-field advantage in the NFC and are taking precautions to make sure their starting signal caller is healthy for the postseason.

“Brock is the only (healthy) guy I for sure don’t plan on playing,” San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday.

Brandon Allen will serve as the backup behind Darnold, who will make his 56th career NFL start. Darnold is in his first season with the 49ers after playing three seasons with the New York Jets (2018-20) and two with the Carolina Panthers (2021-22).

Darnold will receive the majority of the practice snaps on Thursday. On Wednesday, Purdy and Darnold split the workload.

“I want our team to treat this week as like Brock going down on the first play of the game,” Shanahan said. “That’s why I want them both repping it. I want Brock to get some work this week, and that’s something I’d like us to be ready for if that unfortunately did happen.”

Purdy has passed for 4,280 yards, 31 touchdowns and 11 interceptions this season.

San Francisco has already ruled out star running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) from Sunday’s game. Others not expected to play include defensive lineman Arik Armstead (foot), cornerback Ambry Thomas (hand) and safety Tashaun Gipson (quadriceps).

The Rams (9-7) are holding out starting quarterback Matthew Stafford from Sunday’s game. Carson Wentz will start for Los Angeles.

–Field Level Media

After years torturing the team as a member of the Ravens, new Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco could be asked to save their season in L.A. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Browns OC trusts ‘elite’ arm of QB Joe Flacco ready for Rams

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Joe Flacco is ready to roll if called upon by the Browns to beat the Rams this week thanks to his “elite” arm strength.

At least that’s the view shared by Cleveland offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt on Thursday with Flacco, 38, taking the majority of the first-team reps at quarterback due to Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s concussion.

“He has an elite arm. There’s no question,” Van Pelt said. “If you put it on a scale of 1-5, he’s a 5. His ball flight, velocity on the ball at every level of the field is impressive.”

A longtime Ravens quarterback and Super Bowl winner, Flacco went 18-3 in his career against the Browns. He’d be the franchise’s 39th different starter since 1999 and fourth this season.

Flacco was 1-8 in nine starts with the New York Jets the past three seasons. He was unsigned since the end of the 2022 season until the Browns rang.

That one win was Week 2 of last season over the Browns. Flacco completed 26 of 44 passes for 307 yards and four touchdowns in a 31-30 win.

If he starts Sunday against the Rams and Matthew Stafford (35), the matchup would pit the two oldest starters going head to head in the NFL this season.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski downplayed the loose wires involved in creating a gameplan for quarterbacks with diametrically opposed styles. Thompson-Robinson is a scrambling speedster with the athleticism of a wide receiver. Flacco is more of a throw-it-through-a-wall kind of quarterback in the mold of traditional pocket passers.

“Big, strong arm,” Stefanski said. “Obviously, he can make every throw, but he’s done a very nice job in the meeting room, getting to know his teammates, getting to know the assistants. He’s done a nice job.”

The Browns, practicing at UCLA this week, will know more by the end of the day when testing concludes for Thompson-Robinson.

–Field Level Media

Nov 5, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford looks on from the sidelines prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Rams QB Matthew Stafford on track to start vs. Seahawks

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Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay said quarterback Matthew Stafford is making “great progress” and should start Sunday’s game against the visiting Seattle Seahawks.

Stafford injured the ulnar collateral ligament in his right thumb in a Week 8 game against the Dallas Cowboys and missed the next game prior to last week’s bye. McVay said that Stafford threw the ball during individual drills during Monday’s practice and was able to grip it without trouble.

“We’re operating with the anticipation and expectation that he is going to be good to go,” McVay told reporters on Monday. “He’ll be pushing through, but we expect him to be able to start and play and do his thing and lead the way this week.”

Stafford was injured when his thumb made contact with a helmet while throwing in the 43-20 loss to the Cowboys on Oct. 29.

Stafford, 35, has thrown for 2,070 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions in eight games this season.

Brett Rypien started the 20-3 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 9 and was 13 of 28 for 130 yards with an interception and no touchdowns.

The Rams waived Rypien last week and also signed veteran Carson Wentz, who has made 92 career NFL starts.

Wentz was a free agent and McVay saw adding him as a chance to strengthen the team’s quarterback room.

“We feel good about Matthew returning, and obviously when he’s out there, you feel great about the leadership and everything that he provides,” McVay said. “But God forbid if something were to happen where he weren’t available, felt like this would offer an opportunity for somebody that’s played a lot of high level football to get him in here and get him kind of familiar with some of the things that we’re doing.”

Wentz, 30, has passed for 22,129 yards, 151 touchdowns and 66 interceptions in 93 regular-season games with the Philadelphia Eagles (2016-20), Indianapolis Colts (2021) and Washington Commanders (2022). Wentz was released by Washington after last season.

McVay said offensive tackle Rob Havenstein (calf), linebacker Ernest Jones (knee) and nose tackle Bobby Brown III (knee) are also expected to return against the Seahawks.

–Field Level Media

Nov 5, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford looks on from the sidelines prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Rams expect Matthew Stafford back to QB1 following bye

Posted on | by Field Level Media

When the Rams return from a brief break for their bye week, the Los Angeles backfield should be close to full strength.

Rams coach Sean McVay said quarterback Matthew Stafford will be ready to return from a thumb injury that forced him to sit out last week’s loss to the Green Bay Packers. Running back Kyren Williams, on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain, is one week behind Stafford and targeting to play Week 12.

“Feel really good about Matthew, and how much he’s attacked doing everything in his power to be back and to lead the way for this team,” McVay said.

The Rams return from this week’s bye to face the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 19. The Rams defeated Seattle 30-13 in Week 1. Williams is first eligible to return from IR the following week at Arizona. The Rams beat the Cardinals, 26-9, in Week 6.

Williams remains the team’s leading rusher by a considerable margin with 456 yards on 97 carries and six touchdowns. He last played in the Oct. 15 win over the Cardinals and rushed for 158 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries.

Stafford was diagnosed with a UCL sprain in his throwing thumb after making contact with a helmet while throwing in the 43-20 loss to the Cowboys on Oct. 29.

Stafford, 35, has thrown for 2,070 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions in eight games this season.

Backup quarterback Brett Rypien replaced Stafford against the Cowboys after he was injured and completed 5 of 10 passes for 42 yards. He started Sunday’s game against the Packers and was 13 of 28 for 130 yards with an interception and no touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Aug 26, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) warms up before the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Sean McVay: Rams QB Stetson Bennett facing issue ‘bigger than’ football

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Brett Rypien was signed to the 53-man roster of the Los Angeles Rams for their Week 2 game against the San Francisco 49ers and appears to be set for an extended stay as the No. 2 quarterback.

Rypien now is the primary backup to Matthew Stafford and will be active on Sunday for the Rams (1-0), who placed rookie Stetson Bennett on the non-football illness list on Wednesday.

Head coach Sean McVay said the roster move involving Bennett is unrelated to a minor shoulder injury he experienced. McVay said he couldn’t share specifics, but said the issue was “bigger than” football.

“Out of respect for him and the situation, I’m going to leave all the specifics and particulars in-house,” McVay said. “And I want to be able to do that out of respect for that situation, so I’m not going to really have any follow-up information or anything that I’ll give in that regards.

“I really hope that you can please respect my wishes in regards to keeping that in-house. I understand you have a job to do, but there are certain things that I think are a little bigger and a little more important. And out of respect for the particulars and the specifics, we want to keep it in-house, and that’s where I want to leave it please.”

Bennett played well in the preseason. A fourth-round pick, he won back-to-back national championships at Georgia with a record of 29-1 combined in the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

But Bennett, despite being 25, faced questions about his maturity and readiness for the NFL during the pre-draft process following an arrest for public intoxication.

–Field Level Media

Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) throws a pass during the second half of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game between Ohio State and Georgia on Saturday, Dec 31, 2022, in Atlanta. Georgia won 42-41. News Joshua L Jones Syndication Online Athens

Rams draft ex-Georgia QB Stetson Bennett in fourth round

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Los Angeles Rams selected two-time national champion quarterback Stetson Bennett at No. 128 overall in the fourth round of the NFL draft on Saturday.

Bennett led the Georgia offense in each of the past two seasons, when the Bulldogs went a combined 29-1 and won the 2021 and 2022 College Football Playoff national titles.

Bennett threw for a Georgia record 4,127 yards, 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2022, added 10 rushing touchdowns and finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting. In four seasons at Georgia, he racked up 8,428 passing yards and 66 touchdowns with 21 interceptions.

Three weeks after the national title game in January, Bennett was arrested in Dallas on charges of public intoxication after residents complained he was banging on front doors in a neighborhood at 6 a.m.

He enters the NFL with some other question marks, too. He is not the ideal height of an NFL quarterback, measuring 5-foot-11 at the scouting combine, and at 25, he will be an older NFL rookie.

Entering the draft, the Rams had only 35-year-old Matthew Stafford on the QB depth chart. Stafford is a fellow former Georgia quarterback.

Stafford is coming off a season-ending injury, a spinal cord contusion that caused him to miss the final seven games, as Los Angeles missed the playoffs one year after winning the Super Bowl.

Bennett was the seventh quarterback selected in the 2023 draft, going one pick after the New Orleans traded up to No. 127 to tab ex-Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener.

The Las Vegas Raiders closed the fourth round by selecting Aidan O’Connell, the starting quarterback at Purdue the past two seasons.

Two more quarterbacks were taken within the first five picks in the fifth round. The Arizona Cardinals grabbed Clayton Tune, who played at Houston, and the Cleveland Browns selected Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who threw for 10,710 yards in five seasons at UCLA.

–Field Level Media