Rams Sign Matthew Stafford To One-Year Contract Extension

The Los Angeles Rams announced they have signed quarterback and reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford to a contract extension. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the deal tacks on a year to Stafford’s current contract and includes incentives that have him near the top of the quarterback market:

ESPN sources: reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford and the Rams reached agreement today on a one-year, $55 million extension worth up to $60 million with incentives. Stafford now has two years and up to $105 million remaining on his deal with the Rams. pic.twitter.com/3lMmJMhk7R

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 21, 2026

Dak Prescott is currently the highest-paid quarterback in the league at $60 million, and nine other guys are in the range of $51-55 million annually. Stafford was set to enter the final year of his previous deal and would have been paid $40 million, which would be a significant underpay given his level of play, even at this stage of his career.

After accepting his MVP award, Stafford announced that he would be returning for an 18th season in the NFL and sixth with the Rams. He was coming off a season in which he led the league in both passing yards (4,707) and passing touchdowns (46) while guiding the Rams to the NFC Championship Game.

He and the team were obviously disappointed about falling short of their goal of winning a Super Bowl, but with all their key pieces back in 2026, they are the favorites to win it this season in their home SoFi Stadium.

Even though the Rams are signing Stafford to a lucrative contract extension that will keep the 38-year-old under center for at least two more seasons, they are also planning for the future after drafting Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick.

While Stafford likely would have preferred another talented weapon to work with, he will have the opportunity to mentor his eventual successor and retire on his own terms while being paid near top-of-the-market money. That feels like a win-win for Stafford and the Rams, who had a much easier negotiation this offseason compared to last.

Sean McVay could sense Matthew Stafford wanted to keep playing

This deal getting done isn’t a surprise to Sean McVay, as he could sense early on in the offseason that Stafford wanted to keep playing beyond the 2026 season. They will now get the chance to continue their partnership for at least two more seasons, getting two more cracks at another Super Bowl.