'Casual Conversations'? Rams React to Matthew Stafford Trade Rumors

Despite multiple reports, the Los Angeles Rams never tried to trade quarterback Matthew Stafford. Rams' chief operation officer Kevin Demoff denied the original report from Michael Lombardi during an interview with The Athletic's "11 Personnel" podcast.

“Those conversations frustrated me because I think it’s trying to inject narratives that aren’t there,” Demoff said about the trade reports. “I know there are reports that we tried to trade Matthew. We were not actively trying to trade Matthew. I know Les has rebuffed that before. It’s just not the case. ... It would be naive to think that people didn’t inquire about what was going to happen with the player who, the year before, won the Super Bowl. It’s different than whether people inquire, whether there are casual conversations.”

As Demoff noted, 10 teams are heading into this NFL season with a new starting quarterback. That makes it virtually inevitable that some of those would have reached out to the Rams at some point this offseason to test out the water surrounding Stafford's status on the roster.

Demoff went on to reaffirm Stafford's place on the Rams roster as a "pillar" and player they want to build around. He also, however, acknowledged that if a team came in with a "ridiculous" trade offer, it would've been the Rams' job to entertain it.

Yet, judging by the fact that Stafford is still a Ram, it doesn't seem like that "ridiculous" trade offer ever came about to test L.A.'s resolve.

Although Lombardi's report of the Rams reportedly trying to shop Stafford was shot down, it wasn't the only one. Demoff also put to bed Colin Cowherd's story that the Rams could not restructure the quarterback's deal.

"When you hear the report, the part that frustrated me was this notion that we were trying to get away from the $59 million, and that was the only way to do it through trade," Demoff said. "That tells you that you didn’t have an understanding of the situation. Matthew’s dollars after 2022 were unguaranteed. We could’ve walked away this year, free and clear, for $0. No future money owed. So there was no need to restructure. If we wanted out of Matthew’s deal, we could’ve walked away."

Demoff said that the rumored contract restructuring talks with Stafford never took place, as if they wanted to get rid of the $59 million as reports suggested, they could've released him without accruing any more dead money.

So what does that tell you about the Rams and Stafford? Well, it seems their partnership won't be ending any time soon, as the franchise still sees him as their franchise quarterback despite being at the beginning stages of a roster "remodeling."

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