Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford will not be retiring, but his team has to get him better protection.
Stafford shared on Tuesday via his wife Kelly Stafford’s podcast that he will not be hanging up his cleats after recently being placed on injured reserve with a spinal cord contusion.
Stafford’s decision not to retire should return him to the Rams sideline, even if his 2022 season was a step back from the 2021 push that got his team a Super Bowl.
In nine games this season, the former Lions quarterback threw for 2,087 yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
While Stafford had star wideout Cooper Kupp and 2022 free agent receiver Allen Robinson to throw to, left tackle Andrew Whitworth’s retirement loomed over the offensive line.
Stafford was under much more pressure than normal. The Rams are tied with the Denver Broncos through 15 weeks with 51 sacks surrendered to opposing defenses this season. That’s a lot of hits for any quarterback, much less a veteran like Stafford.
Stafford has a $75 million dead cap penalty next season, so any idea of moving on from his contract would be null and void. The Rams could sign quarterback Baker Mayfield to back Stafford up next season if Mayfield wants to stay in L.A.
Mayfield would give the team a safety blanket if Stafford’s health continues to decline.
Los Angeles will have to find ways to improve its struggling offensive line with only $2 million in cap space for the spring and no first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
It won’t be easy, but it’ll be a priority as the Super Bowl champs try to rebound after a lost season.
