It was Los Angeles all alongside for Matthew Stafford.
Talking to reporters Monday following an eventful offseason — through which the Giants and Raiders closely pursued him earlier than he re-upped with the Rams — the 37-year-old quarterback revealed he “never really” wished to depart the group he’s known as house since 2021.
“There are so many positive things about our organization and about our team. I never really wanted to leave. I’m just happy to be back and happy that the Rams want me back. We can move forward and hopefully have a great season,” Stafford stated on the primary day of the group’s offseason program, in response to ProFootballTalk.
Coming off a 10-7 common season and a Divisional Spherical playoff look — Los Angeles fell to the eventual Tremendous Bowl-champion Eagles in a snowy 28-22 thriller — Stafford entered an offseason with loads of questions in regards to the future and whether or not it will embody one other run with the Rams.
The Rams granted their Tremendous Bowl-winning quarterback permission to talk with different golf equipment about his worth in February. That very same month, it was reported Stafford was looking for a brand new deal within the $50 million-per-season ballpark.
Though conversations have been had with the Raiders and Giants, a decision got here in late February with the Rams and Stafford agreeing to proceed their union on a revised contract.
The Giants had mentioned a deal between $90 million and $100 million, The Publish’s Paul Schwartz confirmed on the time.
Stafford, who has made L.A. his house base with spouse Kelly and their 4 daughters, stated Monday, “Wanting to be back with the Rams was my number one priority.”
“I think the longer that I’m in the game and the longer that I’m playing football, there’s an understanding between myself and the organization on what we want that to look like and what we want that to be. That has been great, communication-wise, with those guys,” he stated.
This isn’t the primary time Stafford lauded Rams brass over how the state of affairs performed out.
Head coach Sean McVay, an integral a part of bringing Stafford to the Rams in 2021 following a blockbuster commerce with the Lions, had “great communication” with the group’s QB1 all through the method.
“We had grownup conversations because he and I have known each other and gone through a lot together, so, all of that was positive and good, in the end, especially, getting to the point where I know that I’m extremely excited to be back, I know (Kelly is) extremely excited to be back, we’re just in a really good place and happy to be playing for the Rams for another season,” Stafford stated in March on Kelly’s “The Morning After” podcast.
“… We’re just in a really good place and happy to be playing for the Rams for another season.”
The Rams wish to defend their NFC West title and can accomplish that with a shiny new toy on offense.
Not lengthy after the Rams firmed issues up with Stafford, they signed six-time Professional Bowl receiver Davante Adams to a two-year deal.
In the meantime, the Giants and Raiders pivoted elsewhere after being spurned by Stafford.
Las Vegas traded for Seattle quarterback Geno Smith in March, reuniting the previous second-round choose with Pete Carroll, who coached him on the Seahawks.
The Giants added former Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson on a one-year deal in free company. The group additionally agreed to a two-year pact with former first-overall choose Jameis Winston.
It’s been extensively speculated the Giants will take a rookie quarterback when the 2025 NFL Draft begins later this week.
