Quarterback Matthew Stafford’s contract extension from last year is becoming more of a problem for the Los Angeles Rams. Talks about an adjustment of the working paper have reportedly been rejected by the 35-year-old. In doing so, he is jeopardising the future plans of the franchise that has fallen so far.

From Super Bowl winner to grey mouse in just one year.

That was the bitter experience of the Los Angeles Rams last season. After winning the title in February 2022, they posted a 5-12 record in the last season. After missing the playoffs by a wide margin, the former champions quickly came back down to earth.

In the offseason, the franchise had to let go of numerous key players due to massive problems with the cap space. Star cornerback Jalen Ramsey was traded, as was wide receiver Allen Robinson, and linebackers Bobby Wagner and Leonard Floyd were released.

For star quarterback Matthew Stafford, who could only play nine games due to injury, the franchise apparently had planned a contract adjustment to reduce horrendous personnel costs.

However, as Colin Cowherd explained on his show on “FS1” and “Fox Sports Radio”, the 35-year-old had rejected this. “A source I trust told me they wanted to renegotiate his contract,” Cowherd is quoted as saying by “USA Today”: “But he wasn’t interested. That limits their options and they were frustrated with his behaviour. “

Los Angeles Rams: Stafford’s monster contract cripples the franchise

After winning the title, Stafford had gotten his payday, signing a four-year, $160 million contract in March 2022. Sixty-three million dollars was already fully guaranteed when the contract was signed, with another 57 million dollars coming due last March.

In retrospect, spending $120 million in guarantees over two years on a quarterback who is clearly suffering from the ravages of time seems highly questionable.

The stalled negotiations over the contract adjustment were another setback for the franchise, which is now said to be regretting the quarterback’s pricey contract.

“We’ve heard that while the Rams didn’t actively offer Stafford, they were probably hoping someone would call about him,” Mike Florio of “Pro Football Talk” reports. “The New York Jets are the team most likely to make a run at Stafford if they hadn’t traded for Aaron Rodgers.”

“A-Rod” pitched his tents in the Big Apple – and L.A. officials are getting more and more flak for the Stafford deal.

Los Angeles Rams: Getting rid of Stafford will be difficult

While it’s not clear from Cowherd’s statements whether the Rams were seeking a simple restructuring or a salary reduction. But Florio concludes that Stafford refused to take less salary in the first place.

Stafford’s contract puts a $20 million burden on the Rams’ cap space this year, but in future years the contract burden increases significantly: to $49.5 million in 2024 and 2026, and to $50.5 million in 2025.

The Rams’ hands are thus tied in their planning regarding the realignment of the franchise.

If the team decides in the future to give up the playmaker, who is still tied up until the 2026 season, the prospects are not exactly rosy. Stafford’s $31 million salary is already fully guaranteed for the 2024 season.

Even then, interested parties will almost certainly not be queuing up.