Tag: Stafford

Oct 3, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (left) and head coach Sean McVay talk during warmups before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Rams’ Matthew Stafford won’t retire; Sean McVay faces ‘layers’ to decision

Posted on | by Field Level Media

While the Los Angeles Rams’ young head coach mulls whether to step away from the league, quarterback Matthew Stafford said Monday he has no intention to retire this offseason.

Stafford, who will turn 35 next month, is coming off his 14th NFL season, which ended prematurely with a season-ending spinal injury.

Stafford was diagnosed with a spinal cord contusion in addition to a concussion, but it isn’t expected to be a long-term problem for the quarterback that led Los Angeles to last year’s Super Bowl title.

He also told reporters Monday that whether Sean McVay chooses to step down from his post would have no impact on his own decision.

ESPN and The Athletic reported over the weekend that McVay, 36, will take his time deciding whether he wants to return to the Rams in 2023. Los Angeles suffered through an injury-laden title defense and finished 5-12, missing the playoffs.

McVay drew interest from networks eyeing him for a color commentary role last year, when he was coming off his first Super Bowl victory and entertained the possibility that he’d walk away.

“There’s a lot of emotion right after the season,” McVay said. “There’s a lot of layers to this. There’s a lot of people that it does affect that I don’t take lightly and want to be mindful of. And so I’m going to take the next couple days to really be able to kind of reflect.”

McVay also said he doesn’t “get the sense in the least bit I’m done coaching. It’s just a matter of what does that look like as it relates to the immediate future.”

The Rams signed McVay to an extension before the season, making him under contract through the 2026 season. Financial terms were not released by the club at the time, but McVay is reportedly among the highest-paid coaches in the NFL. Stafford also signed an extension through 2026.

McVay is 60-37 with one game left to complete a sixth full season as the Rams’ coach.

–Field Level Media

Head coach Dan Campbell talks with Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff during action against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, September 12, 2021 at Ford Field. Lions 49ers

Reports: Lions lean toward keeping Jared Goff in ’23

Posted on | by Field Level Media

When Jared Goff was traded to the Detroit Lions on the first day of the league year in 2021, the widely held belief was the former No. 1 overall pick of the Rams would be looking for a new team in 2023.

According to reports, the Lions haven’t bought into that theory and, in fact, are leaning the opposite direction — toward keeping the 28-year-old Goff for at least the final two years of his contract.

Goff is owed a $5 million roster bonus in March but has a base salary of $20.65 million for 2023. Parting with Goff would cost the Lions more than $10 million.

With only one interception in his past 193 pass attempts covering six games, Goff is driving Detroit’s second-half run. The Lions are favored against the NFC North-leading Minnesota Vikings (10-2) on Sunday.

“Goff is playing at a very high level,” coach Dan Campbell said last month. “He’s certainly given us a chance to win these games. I can’t say enough good things about him. Hhe’s built a camaraderie with these receivers, he trusts them, they’re all on the same page. That goes a long way.”

Goff has the Lions (5-7) thinking playoffs this season in a rapid turnaround marked by a potent offense. Goff has 19 touchdown passes and seven interceptions in 2022.

In his seventh NFL season, Goff has a 50-44-1 record as a starter. He has completed 64.2 percent of his passes for 24,438 yards with 145 touchdowns and 70 interceptions.

The temptation to draft a quarterback of the future didn’t lead general manager Brad Holmes to use the 2022 No. 2 overall pick on a passer. Instead, the Lions drafted defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.

Holmes spent 17 years with the Rams’ organization and was extremely familiar with Goff when he traded for him.

In the latest return from the Rams as part of the Matthew Stafford-Goff swap, the Lions will receive Los Angeles’ first-round pick in the 2023 draft. That selection is likely to bring another top-five pick based on the current standings, and Holmes has two first- and two-second round picks to work with in April.

–Field Level Media

Nov 20, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports

Rams claim QB Baker Mayfield off waivers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former No. 1 draft pick Baker Mayfield is getting another chance to save his career, this time with the defending Super Bowl champions.

The Los Angeles Rams claimed Mayfield off waivers Tuesday, a day after the Carolina Panthers cut ties with the beleaguered quarterback just five months into their marriage.

The Rams (3-9) lost their sixth straight game Sunday to the Seattle Seahawks, with John Wolford starting under center. Matthew Stafford, who had been diagnosed with a concussion and neck injury a few weeks prior, was revealed after the game to have a spinal contusion that likely ended his season.

The Rams had Wolford and Bryce Perkins as the other quarterbacks on their roster, though Wolford is dealing with a neck injury and was listed as did not participate on Monday’s estimated practice report.

Though their chances of making a late run for a wild-card berth are close to zero, the Rams claimed the 27-year-old Mayfield for the closing stretch and inherited the $1.35 million left on his contract.

The Rams’ move also potentially blocked a quarterback-needy NFC West rival, the division-leading San Francisco 49ers, from being able to claim Mayfield because the Rams were ahead of the 49ers in the waiver order. The 49ers have lost quarterbacks Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo to injuries — though reports came out Tuesday that Garoppolo will not need foot surgery as originally expected and could be back for the playoffs.

ESPN reported that the 49ers did not put in a claim for Mayfield.

Mayfield started six of the seven games he played in this season, completing 57.8 percent of his passes for 1,313 yards and six touchdowns against six interceptions.

He was in his first season in Carolina, which acquired him from the Cleveland Browns in July for a 2024 conditional fifth-round pick. The pick will remain a fifth-rounder since Mayfield didn’t play 70 percent of the team’s snaps at QB.

The Panthers paid $5 million of Mayfield’s fifth-year option while the Browns paid about $10.5 million. Mayfield agreed to cut the remaining $3 million-plus off his fifth-year salary to facilitate the trade.

Mayfield is 30-35 as a starting QB in 65 starts as an NFL quarterback since being selected No. 1 by the Browns in 2018. He’s thrown for 98 TDs and 62 INTs for his career.

ESPN reported that Mayfield is en route to Los Angeles and could play as soon as Thursday, when the Rams visit the Las Vegas Raiders.

–Field Level Media

Dec 4, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) walks on the field prior a game against the Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Rams QB Matthew Stafford has spinal contusion, ‘good chance’ season over

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A spinal contusion previously undisclosed will likely end the season for Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles coach Sean McVay said Sunday night.

Stafford, who cleared concussion protocol earlier this week, landed on injured reserve and was ruled out for the NFC West game with the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Asked Sunday night if Stafford was done for the season, McVay said there was a “good chance.”

He has missed three of the past four games.

At this point, it would make little sense for Stafford — who the Rams signed to a four-year, $160-million contract through 2026 — to return to the lineup for the final two games of this season.

Stafford suffered a neck injury in Week 11 against the New Orleans Saints after clearing protocol from a previous concussion.

Stafford, 34, has passed for 2,087 yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season. He has thrown for 52,082 yards and 333 touchdowns in 191 games in his 14-year career with the Detroit Lions (2009-20) and Rams.

John Wolford will get the start against the Seahawks on Sunday after Bryce Perkins started under center last weekend in a 26-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

–Field Level Media

Nov 20, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is grabbed by New Orleans Saints linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) in the second quarter at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Rams QB Matthew Stafford clears concussion protocol, will sit vs. Seahawks

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has cleared concussion protocol but will sit out Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks, coach Sean McVay said on Friday.

It will be the second consecutive game and third this season that Stafford misses.

John Wolford will start at quarterback against Seattle and Bryce Perkins will be the backup.

McVay said Stafford cleared the protocol on Friday, but the team is still looking for further information about the neck injury Stafford sustained in Week 11 against the New Orleans Saints.

Stafford, 34, played against the Saints after clearing protocol from a previous concussion.

McVay indicated it is possible Los Angeles will shut Stafford down for the remainder of the season.

“I think there’s so many layers to (that decision),” McVay said. “There’s so much thought and dialogue that goes into it, but I think first and foremost it’s got to get cleared from the medical experts. … I’m not the expert in that arena, but if there’s any sort of sense of, this is something that it’ll be better served in the long term or it’s going to be a few more weeks, things like that, I think that’ll end up kind of taking care of itself.”

Due to Stafford’s high competitive level, McVay said the Rams may have to protect last season’s Super Bowl winning quarterback from himself.

“If there’s any inkling that he can play, this guy’s going to want to play,” McVay said. “Now (there is a) possibility that we say, ‘based on what we’re gathering, the doctors, those types of things, the smart thing is to not play you.’ And he could be upset with me, but I think he knows that I have his best interest and we have his best interest. And if that’s the case, then that’s definitely a possibility.

“But he’s going to want to play. He’s going to want to do everything in his power to be out there and compete with his teammates and do the things that’s made Matthew Stafford, Matthew Stafford.”

Stafford has passed for 2,087 yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season.

Wolford missed last weekend’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs due to a neck injury. Perkins made the start and completed 13 of 23 passes for 100 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

Wolford started in Week 10 during a 27-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals and completed 24 of 36 passes for 212 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

The Rams (3-8), who have lost five straight games, will also be without star defensive tackle Aaron Donald (ankle). It marks the first time Donald will miss a game due to injury in his nine-year career.

–Field Level Media

Nov 13, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) tries to slip past Arizona Cardinals guard Lecitus Smith (54) to get to quarterback Colt McCoy (not pictured) during the second quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Rams DT Aaron Donald, QB Matthew Stafford out Week 13

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald will not play Sunday due to a high-ankle sprain that could lead to Los Angeles shutting him down for the rest of the season.

Donald, 31, has never missed an NFL game due to injury, meaning the seven-time All-Pro would be sitting for the first time Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. Donald missed two games in 2017 due to a contract holdout.

“That’s what makes Aaron, Aaron,” McVay said. “He’s unbelievable. I mean to be able to play through that, the toughness, everything that he embodies is what you love about Aaron.”

Donald was injured in the first quarter last week but remained in the game, a 26-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

With a five-game losing streak and a 3-8 overall record, Los Angeles has only one win since Sept. 25. A rash of injuries isn’t helping the Rams’ mood.

Wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson II are on injured reserve, and quarterback Matthew Stafford (concussion) played only two of the team’s four games in November.

McVay said Wednesday it was “safe to say” Stafford, 34, would miss Week 13.

–Field Level Media

Nov 6, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) celebrates after a catch and run against the Tennessee Titans during overtime of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (concussion) returning vs. Rams

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster has exited concussion protocol and will return from a one-game absence on Sunday when the Chiefs host the Los Angeles Rams.

Smith-Schuster was a full participant in practice all week and was not given a game designation on the Chiefs’ injury report Friday.

The 26-year-old sustained the concussion during the Chiefs’ Week 10 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He missed last week’s 30-27 primetime win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

In his first season with the Chiefs, Smith-Schuster is second on the team in receptions (46) and receiving yards (615) while catching two touchdowns. He spent his first five NFL seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Fellow Chiefs receiver Kadarius Toney (hamstring) was ruled out for the Rams game. Toney, a midseason acquisition from the New York Giants, suffered the injury against the Chargers last week. Guard Joe Thuney (ankle), safety Juan Thornhill (calf) and cornerback Chris Lammons (concussion) were listed as questionable.

The Rams will be without center Brian Allen (thumb), linebacker Travin Howard (hip) and defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson (knee). Starting quarterback Matthew Stafford (concussion, neck) was ruled out Wednesday.

Wide receiver Allen Robinson (ankle), tight end Tyler Higbee (knee), center Matt Skura (knee) and tackle Ty Nsekhe (ankle) are questionable.

–Field Level Media

Nov 6, 2022; Phoenix, Ariz., United States; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) looks towards the scoreboard during the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium. Nfl Cardinals Vs Seahawks Seattle Seahawks At Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals’ Kyler Murray, Rams’ Matthew Stafford inactive

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray and Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford are both inactive for Sunday’s NFC West clash.

Murray, who has a hamstring injury, will be replaced by journeyman Colt McCoy for the visiting Cardinals (3-6).

Murray was a limited participant in practice Thursday and Friday and was said to be a game-time decision.

Murray, 25, has completed 66.7 percent of his passes for 2,168 yards, with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions this season. He’s also rushed for 359 yards and two scores.

Stafford is in the concussion protocol and John Wolford will start for the host Rams (3-5).

Stafford returned to practice in a limited capacity on Friday and was considered questionable.

Stafford, 34, has thrown for 1,928 yards and eight touchdowns against eight interceptions this season. He has been sacked 28 times, third most in the NFL entering Week 10.

–Field Level Media

Nov 6, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is sacked by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches (56) in the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Rams QB Matthew Stafford ‘making progress’ but questionable

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Head coach Sean McVay said the Rams will go up to 90 minutes before kickoff, if necessary, to determine whether quarterback Matthew Stafford plays Sunday.

Stafford is “going through that protocol” for a concussion and was limited at practice Thursday and Friday.

“Realistically, he’s listed as questionable. So he’s making good progress and that’s where we’re at with that,” McVay said.

No matter who starts for the Rams, McVay said the team would be starting its ninth different offensive line combination in Week 10.

“It has been out of the norm relative to how our guys have typically protected the quarterback. It’s been challenging without a doubt,” he said.

Earlier in the week, the medical staff noted something wasn’t quite right with Stafford after last week’s 16-13 loss at Tampa.

“You obviously have the medical expertise where if they cleared him, but the family and people aren’t comfortable … with based on the information and how he’s feeling, he’s not going to be playing,” McVay said. “The main thing is, you just want to leave the door open if there’s that opportunity to play (a game) with our franchise quarterback who’s an absolute stud.”

Stafford played the entire game against the Buccaneers, going 13 of 27 for 165 yards and a touchdown.

John Wolford is the primary backup to Stafford on the depth chart. Bryce Perkins is also on the 53-man roster. Wolford has appeared in four games over three seasons for the Rams, going 1-0 as a starter. He’s thrown 42 career regular-season passes in the NFL and started a 2020 playoff game before departing early with a head injury.

Stafford has thrown for 1,928 yards and eight touchdowns against eight interceptions this season. He has been sacked 28 times, third most in the NFL, as the team has been forced to alter the look of the offensive line.

The Rams (3-5) host division rival Arizona (3-6) this Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Sep 18, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws under pressure from Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Ta'Quon Graham (95) during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Rams hold off Falcons for 31-27 victory

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Matthew Stafford threw for 272 yards and three touchdowns and the Los Angeles Rams withstood a late rally by the Atlanta Falcons for a 31-27 victory on Sunday in Inglewood, Calif.

Cooper Kupp had 11 receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns for the defending Super Bowl champions.

The Rams (1-1) led 28-3 with less than four minutes left in the third quarter before the Falcons later scored 22 points in span of 13:23 to pull to within 31-25 after Lorenzo Carter returned a blocked punt 26 yards for a touchdown with 4:57 left in the game.

The Falcons (0-2) got the ball back after Darren Hall forced and recovered Cooper Kupp’s fumble on the Rams’ 37-yard line with 3:22 remaining. But Jalen Ramsey intercepted Marcus Mariota in the end zone with just over a minute remaining.

The Rams took an intentional safety with six seconds left and punted the ball out of bounds, giving the Falcons the ball at the 50-yard line.

However, Mariota was sacked and fumbled, with Aaron Donald making the recovery as time expired.

Stafford 27-for-36 passing with two interceptions, while Tyler Higbee recorded seven catches for 71 yards and Allen Robinson finished with four catches for 53 yards and a score.

Marcus Mariota went 17-for-26 passing for 196 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions for the Falcons.

Cordarrelle Patterson ran for 41 yards on 10 carries, while rookie first-round pick Drake London had eight receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown.

After taking a 7-0 lead on Stafford’s 1-yard touchdown toss to Robinson with 1:44 left in the first quarter, the Rams scored two touchdowns in the second quarter.

Darrell Henderson extended the lead to 14-0 with an 8-yard run before Younghoe Koo’s 26-yard field goal cut the lead to 14-3 with 2:44 left in the half. The Rams, however, pushed the advantage to 21-3 with 14 seconds left on Stafford’s 3-yard toss to Kupp.

The Rams increased their lead to 25 when Stafford capped a 10-play, 75-yard drive to open the second half with a 10-yard touchdown strike to Kupp with 9:22 left in the third quarter.

Mariota’s 4-yard touchdown pass to Drake made it 28-10 with 3:20 left in the third quarter before Matt Gay’s 20-yard field goal extended the Rams’ lead to 31-10 with 12:13 left in the game.

Mariota pulled the Falcons to within 31-17 with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Olamide Zaccheaus with 8:14.

Troy Andersen blocked Riley Dixon’s punt, with Carter returning it for a touchdown to make it 31-25 after Mariota hit London for the two-point conversion with 4:57 left.

–Field Level Media