Matthew Stafford landing spots: Giants, Steelers among options if Rams trade QB
Matthew Stafford may not get his Hollywood ending.
Questions surrounding the Los Angeles Rams quarterback's future have already begun to circle this offseason, casting doubt on his status going forward. It's a fairly bizarre reality, given Stafford continued to play at a high level in 2024.
The Rams' roster has been rebuilt on the fly and came the closest to knocking off the eventual Super Bowl 59 champion, Philadelphia Eagles, this postseason.
None of that adds up to a significant move at quarterback, but here we are.
Stafford's name is firmly in the rumors as a decision surrounding his contract looms. Time will tell how this movie ends, but there will be no shortage of teams lining up for Stafford's services if the Rams decide to move on. Here's a look at some of the best landing spots.
Matthew Stafford landing spots
New York Giants
Probably the leader in the clubhouse at this moment, the Giants seem like the most likely landing spot for Stafford if he's moved. The 37-year-old would find himself on a roster worse than his current situation in Los Angeles, in addition to playing in an area at the mercy of Mother Nature. Stafford has spent his entire career playing primarily under a roof, something MetLife Stadium doesn't offer.
However, the Giants are desperate. The head coach and general manager are probably heading for the unemployment line if the team doesn't show signs of life in 2025. Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen's squad isn't closer to competing now than they were after taking over in 2022.
Acquiring Stafford does make sense for an organization still searching for a quarterback solution in the post-Eli Manning era. He would add credibility and a veteran presence to a room desperately needing those things.
Yet, with him playing a couple more years at best, the Giants trading for Stafford is probably more desperation from a regime on the hot seat than a move to compete for championships.
New York Jets
One area, two landing spots. The Jets also find themselves on the list of possibilities but face challenges similar to those of their MetLife Stadium roommates. While "Gang Green" makes more sense than the Giants from a competing standpoint, it's unclear whether Stafford fits what new head coach, Aaron Glenn, is looking for. The Jets can sell themselves on having a better roster, on paper, that was primed to compete with a healthy Aaron Rodgers.
However, New York's weaknesses seem to indicate a team that is more than a quarterback away from challenging the NFL's elite. Stafford would also bring stability to an organization that's even more desperate for a capable signal caller. Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand did cross paths with the quarterback during his final season in Detroit, making for an obvious link.
The Jets still have the same weather disadvantage though and just went through a failed experiment with an older quarterback at the tail end of his career. Crazier things have happened, but it's hard to believe they'd sign up to go down that road again.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Completing the trio of colder weather cities, the Steelers make the most sense of the three. They are already set up to compete, having made the playoffs thanks to a great defense. Facing a reunion with Russell Wilson or Justin Fields, Stafford checks in as a major upgrade over the others and comes with a winning pedigree.
Pittsburgh's offense fell flat down the stretch, as the team rode a four-game losing streak into the postseason before being eliminated by the Baltimore Ravens in the wild-card round. The Steelers have been consistent under Mike Tomlin, never registering a losing season in his 18 years as head coach. That has come at a cost, however.
The Steelers haven't won a playoff game since the 2016 season despite making the playoffs four times in the last eight years. Pittsburgh hasn't been bad enough to bottom out and get a top quarterback in the draft. They also haven't secured a decent option through free agency. That's left the team with a ceiling that's capped. Acquiring Stafford would go a long way in making Tomlin's team a real threat going forward.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders could certainly gamble on a Stafford deal, but they aren't in a position to compete in 2025. A move for the veteran quarterback would be rooted more in a desire to stabilize the franchise that's floundered in recent years. Hiring Pete Carroll appears to accomplish that goal from the coaching side. The idea of pairing him with Stafford at quarterback would, in theory, put Vegas on the path to success going forward as they build up the talent on the roster.
While he would join a difficult AFC West division, Stafford could remain out West and enjoy all the amenities the Raiders offer at their new facilities. It also wouldn't hurt to see Stafford paired up with a fellow Georgia Bulldog alum, Brock Bowers.
Indianapolis Colts
What will the Colts do with Anthony Richardson? The young quarterback fell out of favor in 2024, largely thanks to his "tapping out" during the team's Week 8 game. Richardson was later benched for Joe Flacco. He would sit out two games before returning to the lineup. The second-year quarterback then missed the final two games of the season with a back injury.
Richardson's availability has been a primary concern in his young career – having started just 15 of a possible 34 games in two seasons.
The Colts' roster has taken a step back in recent years and isn't in the same position to compete anymore. At least not like they were in the immediate aftermath of Andrew Luck's retirement anyway. A move for Stafford would not only breathe life back into the franchise but would also help cool off the heated seats occupied by Shane Steichen and Chris Ballard. Another clunker in 2025 could be enough for the organization to pull the plug on them. That's easily enough to put the Colts in the hunt for Stafford's services.