WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford arrived for the start of the team's voluntary offseason workout program Monday morning with his contract situation resolved.
Around this time a year ago, that dispute surfaced during draft week and lingered through the summer. A resolution was not reached until roughly three months later on July 23rd, the day players reported to training camp last summer, with the understanding that Stafford wouldn't play under the number he was originally due to receive for 2025.
This time, they agreed to terms on a contract adjustment on Feb. 28, 12 days before the start of free agency and well before the start of training camp.
"It's great to have that done and kind of out of the way as we get this thing going," Stafford said Monday. "Just obviously happy that I'm going to be coming back and doing it again here, which is great."
The announcement came after he and head coach Sean McVay met early in the morning of Friday, Feb. 28. Stafford said there wasn't one particular reason from that conversation that made him want to stay, because of the numerous positive things about the organization and team.
"Never really wanted to leave," Stafford said. "So just happy to be back, and happy that the Rams want me back and we can move forward and hopefully have a great season."
With that resolved, Stafford turns his attention to this spring's offseason workout program, which kicked off Monday morning as players returned to the practice facility for those voluntary sessions.
Stafford's approach to OTAs evolves every year as he gets older and as the team changes.
Last year was "a little bit unique," Stafford said, alluding to the contract situation – though he still attended and participated in every OTA and minicamp session while that was ongoing – but as he gets older, his focus is on being as physically and mentally fresh as possible. Being around teammates is also important to him, especially with a new face like wide receiver Davante Adams joining the team and returning wide receiver Tutu Atwell due for an expanded role.
"Obviously getting work with the guys, being around them as much as I can, culturally is a great thing," Stafford said. "And then getting to work with some of the guys like Davante and Tutu in some new spots and doing all of that kind of stuff will be beneficial."
Stafford will also be preparing for the arrival of a new group of teammates, possibly including an addition to the quarterback room. He said he didn't want to get into hypotheticals, but if that scenario unfolded, he would welcome that player with open arms.
"To me, I'm worried about doing everything I can to be the best version of myself for this team," Stafford said. "Whoever we draft, I hope they come in and help our team win. You look at it last year, our first two picks were guys on defense that made huge impacts on our team. So for me, I'm just trying to load this team up with as many good players as we possible can. If a quarterback comes along and they feel the need to take him, welcome him with open arms and try to teach him as much as I possibly can."
Head coach Sean McVay said the Rams are operating on a year-to-year basis with Stafford, who has earned the right to do so. As he gears up for his 17th season, Stafford said it's an approach he's comfortable with.
"The longer that I'm in the game, the longer that I'm playing football, I think there's an understanding between myself and I think the organization as well on what we want that to look like, and what do we want that to be?" Stafford said. "And so that's been great communication-wise with those guys."
