Drake Maye

[Ramsfan08ny]

The guy is looking real good this year, and looks like hes going to be one of the better QBs. Perfect example of drafting a guy who may not have racked up the college stats, but had the size, tools, and went to the right program.

He had 24/9 TD / INT his last year in college. Nothing mind blowing, but had the high cieling. Unless the Rams think Stetson is their guy, with 2 first round picks next draft they have got to find that guy. A QB with a 5 year rookie deal, who could learn from Stafford and Mcvay for a year is huge.

There will be guys there, just need to find the right one.

[Rampager66]

I have this hunch Staff will want to keep playing as long as he's effective and that could be til he's 40.

[49RH8R]

I have this hunch Staff will want to keep playing as long as he's effective and that could be til he's 40.

I certainly hope so. Stafford is playing his best ball and loves the game. The only thing I can see is if he wins the SB and SB MVP he will go out on top ala John Elway. He ended an illustrious career with 2 SB rings and left on top. That being said, how can you leave knowing you have so much football left?

Back to Maye, yeah he looks great. Very poised and accurate. I did not think he'd be the best of the 24 class but he might be.

[ocram23]

you could argue he is the best QB in his draft class. And that is saying a lot because Jayden Daniels was drafted too. I love JD but the problem is his availability. Drake is a freaking stud IMO

[DVA_ram33]

I would love Stafford to keep playing but we have a salary cap cliff in 2027 when all the young guys need to be paid.. if he stays, we’ll likely loose some key DL personnel.

So I would expect Rans to be looking to get young at QB quickly OR draft to replace the Byron, Turner etc

[Slickjack]

Caleb Williams is playing a lot better, but would definitely agree that Maye is ahead of him. His poise, arm and athleticism will make him a lot of money.

[ocram23]

Caleb Williams is playing a lot better, but would definitely agree that Maye is ahead of him. His poise, arm and athleticism will make him a lot of money.

very surprised about how well Caleb is playing. I think it shows that Ben Johnson is a pretty good coach

[Ramsfan08ny]

I have this hunch Staff will want to keep playing as long as he's effective and that could be til he's 40.

That sounds great in theory, but the problem is, if they keep extending him until hes "not" effective, they've got him at 40 - 50 mil for his ineffective year. When a QB starts hitting the 39 - 40 year mark, and lot can go south from one season to the next. Like another poster stated, keeping Stafford at age 39-40 would probably mean sacrificing younger stars. The best move is moving on a year early, vs a year late. (See Aaron Rogers).

With all that said, i do want Staffords replacement in the 26 draft, even if hes playing 1-2 more years. Gotta be proactive. (Once again, see Aaron Rogers - Bret Favre)

[Bulldawg]

I would love Stafford to keep playing but we have a salary cap cliff in 2027 when all the young guys need to be paid.. if he stays, we’ll likely loose some key DL personnel.

So I would expect Rans to be looking to get young at QB quickly OR draft to replace the Byron, Turner etc

You don’t win a Super Bowl without a top tier QB. You don’t get a top tier QB without paying. Stafford is a bargain this year. Wouldn’t surprise me to cost $50M next year. The cap will go up again next year too.

[Rampager66]

I have this hunch Staff will want to keep playing as long as he's effective and that could be til he's 40.

That sounds great in theory, but the problem is, if they keep extending him until hes "not" effective, they've got him at 40 - 50 mil for his ineffective year. When a QB starts hitting the 39 - 40 year mark, and lot can go south from one season to the next. Like another poster stated, keeping Stafford at age 39-40 would probably mean sacrificing younger stars. The best move is moving on a year early, vs a year late. (See Aaron Rogers).

With all that said, i do want Staffords replacement in the 26 draft, even if hes playing 1-2 more years. Gotta be proactive. (Once again, see Aaron Rogers - Bret Favre)

Yeah I agree with all that, makes no sense paying to hang on for the sake of hanging on and then handing the QB reins over to a green DP.
Bringing in a prospect now and letting Matt and Sean Mentor him for a year or 2 makes the most sense, across the board.
I just wonder if they'll again go shopping for another established vet instead. ie Burrow, Allen, Hebert or even some other younger guy!
It's worked pretty good with Matt!

[DelMar]

I would love Stafford to keep playing but we have a salary cap cliff in 2027 when all the young guys need to be paid.. if he stays, we’ll likely loose some key DL personnel.

So I would expect Rans to be looking to get young at QB quickly OR draft to replace the Byron, Turner etc

You don’t win a Super Bowl without a top tier QB. You don’t get a top tier QB without paying. Stafford is a bargain this year. Wouldn’t surprise me to cost $50M next year. The cap will go up again next year too.

Well, lets put things in perceptive (this is pointing to the words in the tweet, not your post BD)

Do I think it's a bargain deal... hmmm, welp, back when they agreed to the deal, I thought it was fair. After Matts season right now, he def worth a lot more... but a deal is a deal and a contract is a contract.

When the negotiations were going on, the Rams offered what they thought was fair, Matt said, No.. I want more.. both sides went back and forth a ton... remember? Then Kelly posted images bagging on the Rams and Matt gave subtle hints at it also... FINALLY the day came when they came to an agreement.... and both sides maybe weren't thrilled, but it both sides AGREED to it. Everything was settled and we were ready to get 2025 going...

Fast forward to today, NO ONE in here knew Matt was going to have the biggest year of his life, dude is playing his balls off... prob not even Matt OR Sean knew this was coming... so to go in a say this is an absolute joke of a salary, give me a break. It's the business!

Now, if Matt is playing for a new contract, then by all means, let the man get paid for NEXT season. And that will be a pickle, because if Matt continues on this rampage of a season, then the man can pretty much name his price for next season.... and if he does want to keep playing, then we will be right back to where we are just about every year w Matt... RENEGOTIATING...

Shoot, we do this merry go round with Matt every other year. So, can we just give this a break , especially mid season?! I just do not want to discuss this crap until the season is over and won our next Chip... Please, make it stop

[Rampager66]

13 of the 15 QB's that make more than Matt have no SB ring. Most of those have never got to the big game and he has better stats then all of em.
Only Burrow (2nd on list), Lamar (10th), Hurts (11th), Mahomes (15th) and Stafford (16th) have made a SB game, of the 17 QB's on the list above.

[DelMar]

13 of the 15 QB's that make more than Matt have no SB ring. Most of those have never got to the big game and he has better stats then all of em.
Only Burrow (2nd on list), Lamar (10th), Hurts (11th), Mahomes (15th) and Stafford (16th) have made a SB game, of the 17 QB's on the list above.

Dak is prob the biggest phony on the list. Agent worked his magic on his contract

[Ramsfan08ny]

Matt realizes what hes got. The man has made more money than what his grandkids can spend. He knows if he got 55 or even 50 mil he probably wouldn't have Adams to throw to. Might not have Poona Ford helping on Defense.

He also knows he was this close |----------| to being a NY Giant earlier in the year. I dont think Matt Stafford is worried about being the 15th highest paid QB. His agent? That might be a different story.

With that said. MVP year or not, I'm not in favor of giving him a 3 or 4 year deal only to pull an AD and retire in 2 years leaving them cap strapped.

[Bulldawg]

You don’t win a Super Bowl without a top tier QB. You don’t get a top tier QB without paying. Stafford is a bargain this year. Wouldn’t surprise me to cost $50M next year. The cap will go up again next year too.

Well, lets put things in perceptive (this is pointing to the words in the tweet, not your post BD)

Do I think it's a bargain deal... hmmm, welp, back when they agreed to the deal, I thought it was fair. After Matts season right now, he def worth a lot more... but a deal is a deal and a contract is a contract.

When the negotiations were going on, the Rams offered what they thought was fair, Matt said, No.. I want more.. both sides went back and forth a ton... remember? Then Kelly posted images bagging on the Rams and Matt gave subtle hints at it also... FINALLY the day came when they came to an agreement.... and both sides maybe weren't thrilled, but it both sides AGREED to it. Everything was settled and we were ready to get 2025 going...

Fast forward to today, NO ONE in here knew Matt was going to have the biggest year of his life, dude is playing his balls off... prob not even Matt OR Sean knew this was coming... so to go in a say this is an absolute joke of a salary, give me a break. It's the business!

Now, if Matt is playing for a new contract, then by all means, let the man get paid for NEXT season. And that will be a pickle, because if Matt continues on this rampage of a season, then the man can pretty much name his price for next season.... and if he does want to keep playing, then we will be right back to where we are just about every year w Matt... RENEGOTIATING...

Shoot, we do this merry go round with Matt every other year. So, can we just give this a break , especially mid season?! I just do not want to discuss this crap until the season is over and won our next Chip... Please, make it stop

Completely agree. All I was pointing out to DVA is that Stafford is a bargain. If you want to make the playoffs and go very far you need a top 10 QB for the most part. We should be happy Stafford didn’t leave for more $$. I also think he is happy he stayed with the Rams. Mutually beneficial to both sides.

The Rams and Stafford will revisit this again next year if he doesn’t retire. I don’t expect him to demand anything crazy…just like this year. (He could have gotten $50M+ with other teams.)

$50M is probably the threshold next year and it would still be a bargain. The cap will go up a good amount in 2026.

[ocram23]

you are insane to think Stafford is a bargain deal. Drake Maye is a bargain deal. Stafford is killing it and I hope he continues but he is not a bargain

[49RH8R]

Regarding all the salary talk, Stafford had a choice to leave and make more money. The Giants and Steelers were going to pay him a shit ton of money but he chose to return to LA because winning and this environment is more important. He's seen the other side in Detroit and didn't want to go back. He's building his legacy, chasing another ring and ultimately the HOF. He's made $408 million in his career so I think he's fine being $15 mil under the top guy. I'm not looking forward to another offseason of Stafford negotiations but that could take care of itself. If we win the Bowl and Stafford wins Super Bowl MVP I think he'll retire. Like other's have said though, a rookie behind Stafford and McVay for a year would be ideal. The wild card is Stetson Bennett but his rookie contract is almost up.

How about this for the 2026 draft

1A - CB
1B - OT
2 - QB

[DelMar]

Well, lets put things in perceptive (this is pointing to the words in the tweet, not your post BD)

Do I think it's a bargain deal... hmmm, welp, back when they agreed to the deal, I thought it was fair. After Matts season right now, he def worth a lot more... but a deal is a deal and a contract is a contract.

When the negotiations were going on, the Rams offered what they thought was fair, Matt said, No.. I want more.. both sides went back and forth a ton... remember? Then Kelly posted images bagging on the Rams and Matt gave subtle hints at it also... FINALLY the day came when they came to an agreement.... and both sides maybe weren't thrilled, but it both sides AGREED to it. Everything was settled and we were ready to get 2025 going...

Fast forward to today, NO ONE in here knew Matt was going to have the biggest year of his life, dude is playing his balls off... prob not even Matt OR Sean knew this was coming... so to go in a say this is an absolute joke of a salary, give me a break. It's the business!

Now, if Matt is playing for a new contract, then by all means, let the man get paid for NEXT season. And that will be a pickle, because if Matt continues on this rampage of a season, then the man can pretty much name his price for next season.... and if he does want to keep playing, then we will be right back to where we are just about every year w Matt... RENEGOTIATING...

Shoot, we do this merry go round with Matt every other year. So, can we just give this a break , especially mid season?! I just do not want to discuss this crap until the season is over and won our next Chip... Please, make it stop

Completely agree. All I was pointing out to DVA is that Stafford is a bargain. If you want to make the playoffs and go very far you need a top 10 QB for the most part. We should be happy Stafford didn’t leave for more $$. I also think he is happy he stayed with the Rams. Mutually beneficial to both sides.

The Rams and Stafford will revisit this again next year if he doesn’t retire. I don’t expect him to demand anything crazy…just like this year. (He could have gotten $50M+ with other teams.)

$50M is probably the threshold next year and it would still be a bargain. The cap will go up a good amount in 2026.

Right now, projected CAP for 2026 is between $290M and $307M…

[49RH8R]

Completely agree. All I was pointing out to DVA is that Stafford is a bargain. If you want to make the playoffs and go very far you need a top 10 QB for the most part. We should be happy Stafford didn’t leave for more $$. I also think he is happy he stayed with the Rams. Mutually beneficial to both sides.

The Rams and Stafford will revisit this again next year if he doesn’t retire. I don’t expect him to demand anything crazy…just like this year. (He could have gotten $50M+ with other teams.)

$50M is probably the threshold next year and it would still be a bargain. The cap will go up a good amount in 2026.

Right now, projected CAP for 2026 is between $290M and $307M…

The Rams have the 5th most cap space in the entire NFL for 2026 at a projected $97 million. That reflects a lot of contracts that will be zeroed out because of free agency like Lake, Durant, Curl, Landman, Atwell et. al. There is minimal dead cap for Higbee (2 mil) and Havenstein (5.7 mil) but we look to be in good shape. I'm sure some of that will go to a Stafford raise but it definitely looks like we should extend Byron Young and Puka Nacua this offseason.
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/los-angeles ... /year/2026

We will need some serious bodies in the secondary next year. Hopefully a few like Ingle and Valcarcel, AJ Green are already in-house on the PS.

Not sure what we can do with the $9 mil in cap space this year. I did minimal research and saw that we can restructure at anytime during the season but can't give a second raise to the same player in 12 months. It would be interesting to put $9 million towards a Lake or Landman contract while we have it (or dead cap mentioned above) but frankly I don't know if we can legally do that.