Matthew Stafford is not the first important veteran starting quarterback to put his team in limbo at the end of every season in his twilight years as he contemplates retirement or a change of scenery, he’s just the latest. There’s nothing interesting to say about Stafford’s future until he announces a real decision; speculation by fans — or even the team — is worthless.
Instead let’s evaluate the Rams options at quarterback. What’s best for the Rams?
Available Veteran QBs
The following teams are expected to part ways with a quarterback in the offseason:
- Tua Tagovailoa: Dolphins expected to RELEASE Tua
- Kirk Cousins: Falcons expected to RELEASE Cousins with post June 1 designation
- Kyler Murray: Cardinals expected to RELEASE OR TRADE Murray
- Geno Smith: Raiders expected to RELEASE Geno
- Justin Fields: Jets expected to RELEASE Fields
Because these teams all overpaid these quarterbacks with shockingly stupid contracts in every case, none of them are expected to be tradeable because of their deals. CBS’s Joel Corry sees Murray as the one who might have a trade market.
Arizona’s chance of trading Murray got a shot in the arm when University of Oregon quarterback Dante Moore decided to stay in school instead of turning pro. Moore was projected to be a top five pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
We’re talking about what THE RAMS will want to do in the offseason, so what are the chances that an in-division trade could even materialize? Well, I actually don’t think that the Cardinals would hesitate to trade Murray to the Rams if L.A. would actually take him off of their hands.
However, that seems impossible. Even if Stafford retires, there are many better options than Kyler Murray, who is overpaid and suffered significant injuries in two of the last three years.
Kirk Cousins -> McVay connection
With prior experience together in Washington, it would make sense that McVay might be interested in kicking the tires on Cousins as a really cheap veteran free agent trying to rebuild his career after he’s released by Atlanta. There’s even a chance that if Stafford returns that McVay will want to sign Cousins to replace Jimmy Garoppolo as the backup.
Could McVay resurrect Tua?
McVay has gotten the most out of highly-drafted QBs in the past such as Jared Goff, Stafford, and Baker Mayfield. Could Tua be the next?
There would be valid questions about Tua’s ability to make the deep shots in McVay’s offense that are necessary to having success. That was one of the big reasons for trading Goff to get Stafford.
Geno Smith?
As strange as it would be, Geno Smith as a free agent looking for any opportunity he could get might actually be a better option than Cousins, Tua, or Murray. Because for all of Geno’s faults — and there are many — he throws a great deep ball.
Stafford had one of the same problems as Geno, which is that he could throw a lot of interceptions. Would McVay be able to harness Smith’s erratic play just enough to win games with him?
What free agent options exist?
Free Agent QBs
These QBs are set to be free agents:
- Daniel Jones, Colts
- Aaron Rodgers, Steelers
- Malik Willis, Packers
- Russell Wilson, Giants
- Carson Wentz, Vikings
- Jimmy Garoppolo, Rams
- Joe Flacco, Bengals
Jimmy Garoppolo’s turn?
He has started a Super Bowl and two NFC Championship games. He hasn’t been a starter since 2022. He hasn’t started a “full” season since 2021. It wouldn’t be the most phenomenal comeback story of all-time or even close to it, but Garoppolo taking over would be surprising.
On the upside, he would be going into his third season in McVay’s offense. He’s familiar with the team and the players, like Puka Nacua. And he hasn’t had a chance to get hurt in the last two years so he’s moderately healthy.
McVay has always liked Garoppolo a lot. Would he turn the team over to him in 2026?
Daniel Jones era?
The Colts went 8-4 with Daniel Jones as the starter and most expect him to be re-signed.
Jones might want to test the market though because he’s never had the opportunity to be a free agent…who teams actually want. He’ll have an actual market and a bidding war if Jones hits the free agent market just because there’s such a dearth of options.
Does Aaron Rodgers having anything left?
After letting Mike Tomlin get fired on his own terms, all options are on the table in Pittsburgh. If Stafford retires, would Rodgers beg the Rams for a shot? Because he’s not going to win a Super Bowl with the Steelers next year. They’re just not good enough.
Splash Moves
The Rams have two first round picks, next year’s first round pick, and Les Snead loves to make headline trades. Would the Rams shock the NFL world with another huge QB trade five years after Stafford?
Joe Burrow
Rumors of Burrow wanting to win a Super Bowl so badly that he would force his way out of Cincinnati are probably…overblown. If not, trading for Burrow is just the type of thing that the Rams love to do because even at four first round picks it would set them up for a decade.
Lamar Jackson
We’ve never seen McVay with a quarterback like Lamar. What would that look like?
Now that they’ve fired John Harbaugh, I wouldn’t be that surprised if the Ravens tried to move Lamar while he could still run a little bit. The whole offense needs a make-over and Jesse Minter wasn’t hired to make Lamar work…he was hired to make Jesse Minter work.
Other random names:
- Anthony Richardson, Colts
- Bryce Young, Panthers
- J.J. McCarthy, Vikings
- Shedeur Sanders, Browns
Not players I would ever start. Except for maybe Young, but I don’t think the Panthers are going to replace him even though they should. Carolina’s headed to go from first to worst in 2026.
Extend Matthew Stafford again
What if Stafford will return but only if the Rams pay him more money again? Would you want that for the Rams? He kind of has the Rams over a barrel if he wants that. It’s sort of what he did in 2025 to make sure that he got more guaranteed money before he would ever play for L.A. again, even going out and talking to the Giants and Raiders in order to raise his price for the Rams.
Well…why wouldn’t he do that again?
Stafford might say that he’ll play in 2026 as long as the Rams give him another $40 million guaranteed on top of what he’s already owed. Do you think that’s a good idea for the Rams?
Maybe.
But it’s possible Stafford isn’t just contemplating retirement or a return with no changes to his contract. He could be contemplating holding out. In which case, L.A.‘s best move might be to not bring back Stafford and to explore these other options seriously.
Draft
It’s not looking great.
The Rams pick 13th and 29th in a class that is only expected to have one quarterback as a first round lock and Fernando Mendoza is thought to be the first overall pick to the Raiders. There are those recent times when a team has done fairly good with Tyler Shough or Bo Nix, quarterbacks not that highly rated among their peers, but is that going to be Ty Simpson on the Rams in 2026?
Or Trinidad Chambliss? Or Garrett Nussmeier? Or Carson Beck?
WOOF!
What to do?
Out of all the “worst case” scenarios that don’t involve a rookie or Burrow, then strangely Geno Smith might be a good bridge quarterback for 1-2 years as the Rams resolve who the future at the position is going to become.
Because the draft doesn’t seem like it’s going to be a realistic option this year. The Rams might instead want to trade for a quarterback (if Stafford retires) or trade one of their 2026 first round picks for a 2027 first round pick and push back their draft capital by another year.
Best option moving forward?
Stafford returning and not demanding more guaranteed money.
Best option moving forward if you’re DREAMING?
Trading for Joe Burrow.
Backup option if all else fails?
You could see Garoppolo or Geno or Tua starting games for the Rams in 2026.
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