By Nelson EspinalShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe Los Angeles Rams general manager, Les Snead, has addressed rumors that quarterback Matthew Stafford will retire after the season.
The Rams have been a title contender since Stafford arrived, with the quarterback becoming a surgical passer under the offensive genius Sean McVay.
In 2025, Stafford was an MVP candidate and arguably the best quarterback in the league, powering the Rams all the way to the NFC Championship game.
He had back issues that threatened to keep him out for the season, but he managed to power through and put together a great campaign.
...However, Stafford has not confirmed his status for 2026, and the decision looms over the entire franchise. The Rams need to weigh which kind of players to target and whether a quarterback is an immediate need or one they can kick down the road.
Snead, in a Zoom press conference, addressed Stafford's decision and what communication he has had with the QB.
“I think we’ve had productive conversations with him,” Snead said, per Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register. “So we’re going to give him his space to, let’s call it, recover, rejuvenate, and then determine, ‘Hey, do we want to get back on this horse again and go chase, earn, grab special moments together?’”
How do the Rams' plans change if he retires?
In football, there is no position more important than quarterback, especially for a team that is offensively driven like the Rams.
Given the importance of the spot, the Rams will likely need to be aggressive heading into the season and target an immediate replacement for Stafford, either from another team or through the NFL Draft.
However, if he stays, the organization is ready to pivot and make more win-now focused moves around the QB.
“There is a vision to have sustained success over time,” Snead added in his presser. “But if Matthew decides to come back I do think there’ll be an element of – whether it’s 51-49, whether it’s 52-48, whether it’s 60-40 – let’s definitely make the most of the time we have with Matthew.
"Because … the type of season that he’s still showing he can have, there’s only so many of those left. Those are some moments that you want to take advantage of.”
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