Rich: What Matthew Stafford’s Extension Means for Rams Rookie QB Ty Simpson

Matthew Stafford got paid. The Rams handed their quarterback a one-year, $55 million extension worth up to $60 million with incentives, on top of the $40 million he is already due in 2026. Rich walked the room through what it means.

The structural piece, in his read, is simple. Stafford has two years and up to $105 million remaining on his deal. Rich read the fine print, courtesy of Adam Schefter's ESPN story. Stafford pockets a $5 million roster bonus, fully guaranteed at signing, immediately. The remaining $50 million becomes fully guaranteed at the start of the 2027 league year. That means there is a $50 million contract sitting in Stafford's back pocket for 2027 if everything works out. The deal also includes $5 million each year in performance-based incentives tied to playoff success.

"Pay that man his money," Rich said. "And it sounds like he is."

The Ty Simpson half of the implication was the part Rams fans needed to hear. Stafford is, by this contract, the starter through at least 2027. Simpson, the first-round rookie Sean McVay drafted while pretending to be unhappy about it, is now officially in the Jordan Love / Aaron Rodgers seat. He sits. He learns. He waits.

"Sit back and enjoy your Jordan Loving, your Aaron Rodgers-ing," Rich said.

The conversation also touched the backup situation. Jimmy Garoppolo has indicated he is retiring. That leaves Stetson Bennett and Simpson as the depth chart behind Stafford. Rich found that arrangement a tightrope.

"Maybe throw a little money Jimmy G's way," Rich said. The Rams are too close to a Super Bowl, in Rich's read, to be exposed in the event Stafford misses time.

The salary context Chris kept emphasizing was that $50 million is, by 2026 quarterback economics, a bargain.

"50 million is still a bargain compared to some of the other guys who haven't done a lick of successful results 50 million dollar guys on other teams now," Chris said.

The math the Rams just executed reads as follows. Stafford was always going to play in 2026. The 2027 question was the variable. The extension lets the team avoid an offseason crisis where Stafford's existing contract bonus proration accelerates onto the 2027 cap, while also giving Stafford the certainty of guaranteed money for next year if he wants it.

If Stafford plays a Stafford-caliber season in 2026 and the Rams advance deep, both sides will likely return for 2027. That is the play.

Rich noted the absurdity of calling a 38-year-old quarterback "advanced age" by NFL standards, but acknowledged the position has produced very few examples of sustained success past 38.

"Anybody wondering what's going on with him?" Rich said. "That's what's going on with him. And if he's upset about Ty Simpson's drafting? He's not."