A Super Bowl only gets you one season of loyalty, it seems.
Former NFL executive Michael Lombardi was on Friday’s “The Pat McAfee Show” and revealed that the Los Angeles Rams tried to deal away Matthew Stafford — their 2022 Super Bowl-winning starting quarterback — before the new league year in early September.
“When his option bonus was getting ready to kick in, they attempted, with a lot of effort, to trade him—any team could have had him,” Lombardi said.
However, Rams general manager Les Snead was unsuccessful and ultimately picked up Stafford’s 2023 option bonus and 2024 salary.
“The problem was, you had to absorb the $59 million, and the Rams knew there was no way around the $59 million,” Lombardi said. “They couldn’t get around it unless they traded him and somebody else took it.”
Stafford, who is under contract through the 2026 season, inked a four-year, $160 million extension with the Rams last offseason, but the team attempted to avoid paying the QB’s $59 million in bonuses through a trade.
Stafford, 35, led the Rams to Super Bowl LVI glory in February 2022 after a dominant regular season.
In his first year with Los Angeles, Stafford posted a 12-5 record, throwing for 4,886 yards and 41 touchdowns to go along with 17 interceptions.
The 2022-23 campaign was a different story as Stafford was rattled with injuries and eventually sidelined after nine games with a spinal contusion.
While also battling through a recurring elbow issue, Stafford threw an average of 231.9 yards per game –– his lowest since 2010 –– and the team was 3-6 in games he started.
Stafford is reportedly entering 2023-24 at full health, looking to steer the Rams back into playoff positioning after missing the postseason last year.
“There will be no limitations,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said, according to Sports Illustrated. “He’ll be ready to roll.”
“Last year there was such a unique combination and collaboration of things that prevented him from being able to play the way that he’s capable of. So, I think there’s a lot of guys on our team that will have a renewed sense of urgency. He’s certainly one of those guys and we’re a lot better football team with him going.”
The Rams open the season on Sept. 10 against the Seahawks.
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