NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
There was no doubt that Matthew Stafford would return for the 2026 season after announcing it during his 2025 MVP Award acceptance speech, but the Los Angeles Rams officially reached an agreement on an extension with their starting quarterback on Thursday.
Stafford and the Rams have agreed to a one-year extension, the team announced Thursday. The extension is worth $55 million, and it can go up to $60 million with incentives, according to ESPN.
He now has two years and up to $105 million remaining on his contract with the Rams.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford reacts after throwing a touchdown pass during an NFL game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, New Jersey on December 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Stafford had one year remaining on his two-year, $84 million contract he signed with Los Angeles ahead of the 2025 season, but signing this extension shows the 38-year-old’s desire to play beyond this upcoming campaign.
It’s clear that Stafford still has work to do in his career after totaling 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns in his MVP season a year ago.
RAMS COACH SEAN MCVAY EXPLAINS WHY HE SEEMS UNHAPPY AFTER TEAM SURPRISINGLY SELECTED TY SIMPSON
This year, Stafford turns 39 a week before Super Bowl LXI, which just so happens to be taking place at the Rams’ home stadium, SoFi Stadium. This is also where Stafford helped the Rams win their last Super Bowl title during the 2021 season.
Stafford will enter his 18th season in the NFL, his sixth with the Rams since being traded by the Detroit Lions before the 2021 season.
Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams stands on the field before the NFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington on January 25, 2026. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Detroit made Stafford the No. 1 pick out of Georgia in 2009, and he spent 12 years with the franchise before their blockbuster trade, which involved their current starting quarterback, Jared Goff.
And while Stafford is now set for the 2027 season, the Rams have clearly been thinking about their quarterback future this offseason, adding Alabama’s Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick. It is widely believed that Simpson will learn behind Stafford and ultimately become his successor.
Stafford’s mindset was clear heading into the 2026 season, telling everyone at NFL Honors, “I’ll see you next year.”
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford leaves the field after the 2026 NFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington on January 25, 2026. (Steven Bisig/Imagn Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
But the future Hall of Famer appears intent on adding another year to that tally, focusing on continuing his journey with Rams head coach Sean McVay.
