Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Getty
Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on before taking the field against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Los Angeles Rams continue to work two-time Pro Bowler and one-time Super Bowl champion Matthew Stafford back into the mix, and the veteran quarterback took a noteworthy step toward that on Monday, according to his head coach, Sean McVay.
Stafford missed most of training camp with a back injury that even forced him to seek out the opinions of specialists and innovative treatments.
On Monday, though, Stafford checked another important milestone off the list: a full practice.
“I can’t see into the future,” McVay told reporters on August 25, per LARams.com’s Stu Jackson. “But if you look at what the last week has entailed, feel really good. There’s nothing that would leave me to believe, unless we have an unforeseen setback, that he’s not going to be ready to roll against the Texans.”
Stafford’s recent return to the practice field injected optimism into the Rams’ outlook that had taken a hit while he was sidelined.
Stafford, 37, threw for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions on 65.8% completion during the 2024 regular season. He added a 533-4-0 line on 63.4% completion in the playoffs, leading the Rams to the NFC Divisional Playoffs.
The Rams want to get back there and beyond this coming season, so getting Stafford back in the mix in full was critical.
Rams QB Matthew Stafford Logs Full Practice
Matthew Stafford, Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 talks with Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay during practice at Organized Team Activities.
Stafford self-reported back tightness that resulted in the 16-year veteran ceding QB1 duties to backup Jimmy Garoppolo in practice. The Rams, certainly understanding the precarious nature of their situation, held Garoppolo out of their three preseason games.
Their plan ultimately worked, since they can enter the regular season knowing they still have Garoppolo if something happens to Stafford.
Make no mistake, though, the Rams most likely need Stafford to realize their title hopes.
Stafford is 34-23 in his four seasons at the helm for the Rams. LA is 2-7 in games that Stafford has missed due to injuries, all of which have come since their Super Bowl-winning 2017 campaign.
Matthew Stafford Approaching Crossroads
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on against the Dallas Cowboys.
The Rams allowed Stafford’s camp to explore the veteran’s trade value on the open market this past offseason, ultimately agreeing on a reworked two-year, $84 million contract.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano believes the scenario could play out again, but with a different ending.
“Stafford answers the bell for Week 1 and has his usual strong season. The Rams make the playoffs and win a postseason game or two. Heck, maybe they even get to the Super Bowl and present Stafford with the chance to really go out in style. The dance repeats itself next offseason as he turns 38 in February,” Graziano wrote as his “most likely outcome” on August 21.
“This time Stafford and the Rams part ways, either because he decides to retire or they decide it’s time to pivot to another option. In this scenario, the Rams likely use those two first-round picks to address the position long term.”
Graziano also noted the possibility that the Rams bring in a “reclamation project” who could even have experience in their system.
In a “long-shot” scenario, Graziano expresses potential reoccurrences with Stafford’s back.
“This does not go well,” Graziano wrote. “The Rams miss the playoffs, say goodbye to Stafford and use their two first-round picks in a package to move up to select a quarterback No. 1 overall. This quarterback, under Sean McVay’s tutelage, goes on to win three Super Bowls for the franchise.”
At any rate, it appears the popular notion is that the 2025 season will indeed be Stafford’s last with the Rams, and perhaps in the NFL, as the veteran quarterback has been a retirement risk for several years.