At age 36, Matthew Stafford is in the top 10 in NFL history for passing yards, touchdowns, and completions. Stafford is the fastest player in NFL history to reach 40,000 career passing yards and is on the cusp of being the 10th player to reach 60,000 passing yards. He led the Los Angeles Rams to victory in Super Bowl LVI in 2022 over the Cincinnati Bengals. This past season, Stafford led a resurgent Rams squad back to the playoffs by winning 8 of the last 11 regular season games to make the Wild Card round. After defeating the Minnesota Vikings at home, the Rams lost to the Eagles in a close game played in blizzard-like conditions.
Yet, despite the success, the Rams are reportedly allowing Stafford to seek an equitable trade to his preferred destination in the offseason. It is a massive story because Stafford is still considered a top 10 quarterback in the league despite his age, and his move could shift the balance of power for a franchise. In this article, we will discuss the top 3 potential teams that should pursue the former Georgia Bulldog.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers- this past season feels like Groundhog Day if you are a Steelers fan. The Steelers have an 18 consecutive season with a winning record but have lost the last six playoff games dating back to 2016. The Steelers’ struggles started at the tail end of the Ben Roethlisberger era, and Pittsburgh has failed to acquire or draft their number one quarterback. Last season, the Steelers signed Justin Fields and Russell Wilson for the important role. Fields benefited from the first crack on the opportunity, and while he led them to a winning record, he ultimately failed to be proficient in the offense. Wilsons’ tenure started brightly however, he struggled in the absence of George Pickens and struggled to deliver against the elite teams at the end of the season. Stafford could be the difference-making quarterback that could allow Pittsburgh to challenge for the division and is a definite upgrade over last season.
2. Minnesota Vikings-it might be unthinkable in Detroit, but could Stafford return to the NFC North by getting traded to the Vikings? Minnesota had an excellent season by finishing with a 14-3 record. However, they will be haunted by losing their week 17 matchup for the division. The season spiraled out of control against the Rams, where the Vikings crashed out of the Wild Card game. It was a remarkable season because rookie J.J. McCarthy went out in preseason with a season-ending injury. It means backup quarterback Sam Darnold had to be placed into the starting position. Darnold completed 66.2 percent of his passes for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. However, Sam’s stock fell in the crucial last two games of the season, in which he struggled against the Detroit Lions for the division crown and was knocked out of the playoffs by the Rams in the wild card.
Darnold will likely want top dollars as a free agent, and Minnesota will be reluctant to pay him given his struggles in the big game. Stafford, on the other hand, is a proven commodity and could be the right bridge quarterback who could mentor J.J. McCarthy and continue winning within a prolific offense. Stafford and Kevin O’Connell are already familiar with each other, having won a Super Bowl together with the Rams in 2022, which makes this a match made in heaven.
3. Miami Dolphins- the Dolphins were a disappointment last season after making the playoffs in 2023. The team has found it difficult to find continuity at the quarterback position with Tua Tagovailoa’s injury concerns. Tua has suffered several concussions during his NFL career, and the team was 1-3 in his absence last season. Overall, the team has a 7-13 record all-time without the former Alabama product, while they are 40-24 under center. Star Wide Receiver Tyreek Hill has expressed frustration with the lack of productivity in the offense and the struggles of the team to make the playoffs. Concussion concerns places Tua’s career in jeopardy, and a trade for Matt Stafford would elevate this offense. Mike Mcdaniels’ offensive run schemes and Stafford’s arm would be a difficult proposition for defenses. The Dolphins’ acquisition of number 9 would improve their playoff chances in the AFC East division with the Bills as the only favorite.