Rams Trade of QB Matthew Stafford 'Welcomed' as Aaron Rodgers Jets Backup Plan
The Los Angeles Rams are in the midst of what general manager Les Snead dubbed a "remodel," which has included trading or releasing several big-name players like cornerback Jalen Ramsey and outside linebacker Leonard Floyd.
And per one report, the Rams would've liked if quarterback Matthew Stafford was among them.
"The Rams would have (we’re told) welcomed the opportunity to trade Stafford," ProFootballTalk wrote. "If Aaron Rodgers hadn’t decided to join the Jets, Stafford could have become the Plan B, if he would have been willing to go to New York."
This comes on the heels of Los Angeles essentially committing $57 million to Stafford on Friday, as his $31 million base salary was guaranteed and $26 million option bonus will be picked up since he was still employed by the team on the pre-designated date of Mar. 17.
The 35-year-old Stafford is coming off a frustrating season in which he battled an elbow injury last summer and suffered a spinal cord contusion mid-year, ultimately starting just nine games while completing 68 percent of his passes and tossing 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
ProFootballTalk added that "speculation" has surrounded Stafford and a potential retirement - but neither he nor the Rams seem particularly interested in parting ways.
After all, Snead voiced support for Stafford in his pre-free agency press conference and noted that he wouldn't call it a "remodel" if players like the veteran signal-caller weren't in the picture.
“I think we're going to definitely rely on Matthew - he's definitely one of our pillars," Snead said. "There are some players that have been here, that have done that, that have shown they can change the math in a football game - Matthew Stafford being one of them.
"He's definitely someone we're going to rely on and we're going to have to rely on as we do remodel this."
But should PFT's report be accurate, Snead was still working the phones behind the scenes while committing to Stafford in the forefront - and ahead of his guaranteed contract date.
However, with Rodgers announcing his intention of being traded to the Jets and Stafford's contract now being set in stone, Los Angeles has little to gain from moving one of its "pillars."
As such, Stafford appears poised to be the Rams' quarterback again this fall ... but with another "inconsistent" season, as Snead said, it's possible parting ways will once more be "welcomed" next offseason.
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft
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