Since the conclusion of the 2024 NFL season, speculation has suggested that Matthew Stafford’s time in Los Angeles might be over. On Saturday, this speculation advanced significantly when Tom Pelissero reported that the Rams have given Stafford permission to explore trade options, indicating that his tenure may indeed be coming to an end.
The substantial news broke on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, in the afternoon:
The Rams have given Matthew Stafford’s agent permission to speak to other teams, per @TomPelissero. pic.twitter.com/y4gsSWFzjN
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 22, 2025
Stafford has been one of the NFL’s premier quarterbacks since his arrival, starting with the Detroit Lions after they endured a dismal 0-16 season in 2008. Throughout the 2010s, he was a dominant figure in Detroit, leading the team to the playoffs in 2011 and 2024, accumulating 45,109 passing yards and 282 career touchdowns. The Lions traded him to the Rams for Jared Goff during the 2020 offseason—a decision that reaped immediate rewards as Stafford guided the Rams to their second Super Bowl championship (the first since 1999), solidifying his legacy as one of the game’s greats.
As another transition looms, it will be fascinating to see where Stafford lands, especially with several teams in need of a quarterback, including both the New York Giants and Jets. But who will ultimately make the move? Now begins the anticipation of knowing where we might find Matthew Stafford in 2025, as the NFL community responded enthusiastically to the news.
And so the qb carousel begins https://t.co/ZuAtqsPmcm
— jason fitz (@jasonfitz) February 22, 2025
Cmon stay in the NFC. We don’t need to make this conference more loaded at QB than it already is https://t.co/BS2H1rFxHG
— Dylan Frendlich (@LaChoke08) February 22, 2025
Someone get this man out of my division https://t.co/CWowePcO4L
— Michael (@MikeAllSawyer) February 22, 2025
This is confusing. I don’t think Stafford has been holding the Rams back in any way. His arm isn’t what it used to be, but I’d still take him over any of the QBs in the draft or free agency this year. The contract needs work, but it can be done. Would be a mistake to let him go. https://t.co/fLgbkhcxyU
— brayden (@staybrayzy) February 22, 2025
