Stafford’s Imminent Departure Paves Way for Rodgers: Rams Ready to Make Splash with Aaron Rodgers
On Monday, the New York Giants made a key hire that could help them land Matthew Stafford in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams this offseason. A quarterback opening in Los Angeles would be a fitting destination for Aaron Rodgers.
Stafford’s future with the Rams is murky due to his contract situation.
The New York Giants could be in play for Matthew Stafford
On Saturday, ESPN‘s Jeremy Fowler suggested the Rams will entertain calls for Stafford this spring.
“People I’ve talked to with the Rams don’t sound overly concerned about Stafford leaving, despite the tricky contract situation,” Fowler wrote. “Last summer’s negotiation wasn’t easy, and this year’s could be even more difficult, considering his status as a top-shelf QB in a league starved for them. Stafford ranked 12th in QBR in 2024 (64.7).
“By all accounts, Stafford was happy with the direction of the offense this season, and multiple people with the team say it doesn’t seem as if changes are coming. But other teams will inevitably call the Rams to gauge trade interest anyway. Stafford will be the top quarterback available if Los Angeles entertains the idea of moving him.”
On Monday, the Giants hired Chad Hall as their assistant quarterbacks coach. ESPN‘s Adam Schefter made sure to note that he’s the brother-in-law of Stafford.
“Giants are hiring former Jaguars and Bills WR coach Chad Hall as their assistant quarterbacks coach, per source,” Schefter wrote. “Hall now reunites with his former Bills colleagues, HC Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen, in New York. Hall also is the brother-in-law of current Rams QB Matthew Stafford.”
Aaron Rodgers to the Los Angeles Rams?
It didn’t take long for fans to propose that Stafford going to New York is a real possibility this offseason. The Rams don’t have a succession plan at quarterback, but fortunately, a QB in New York needs a new home in 2025.
The Jets recently told Rodgers that they plan to release him in March. Rodgers hasn’t stated whether he plans to retire or where he wants to go, but the Rams make sense for several reasons.
Los Angeles made it to the divisional round, and Rodgers would have a chance to play for another playoff center before hanging up his cleats. He could make that push with wide receiver Davante Adams.
Adams wants to play in Los Angeles in 2025. The star wide receiver asked for a trade from the Las Vegas Raiders to the New York Jets so he could reunite with Rodgers. The end result was a 5-12 season, but much of that had to do with ownership.
Rodgers showed flashes of what made the Jets want him in Week 18 when he threw four touchdown passes against the Miami Dolphins. Like Kirk Cousins with the Atlanta Falcons, it appeared the injury from 2023 was a hindrance in 2024.
Rodgers would be a perfect fit in head coach Sean McVay’s system. The Rams should explore that possibility if they trade Stafford.
