Would The Latest Matthew Stafford Trade Rumor Actually Be A Good Move?

The 2024 NFL Trade Deadline is less than three weeks away. We have already seen two big receivers get moved in Davante Adams to the New York Jets and Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills. One of the biggest names that could be on the trading block, if available, is Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. In addition, one of the teams that he has been rumored to go to is the New York Giants.

All 32 teams are putting themselves in a position to make that final push for the rest of the season, including the Los Angeles Rams . For some, that means getting pieces to bolster their rosters for a late postseason run. For others, that means selling pieces to get better draft picks to plan for the future, whether it is for the 2025 NFL draft in April or beyond.

Being 1-4 and tied for the second-worst record in the NFC entering Week 6, they will most likely be in a position to sell, unless they go on a run.

If Stafford, 36, were to go to the Giants, he would get paired with rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers and replace quarterback Daniel Jones.

Although a rumor can be similar to a dream, it is a little crazy.

However, here are three reasons why Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford will not be traded to the New York Giants.

The Return Would Not Suffice GM Les Snead

The first and probably main move in the trade would be the Los Angeles Rams acquiring quarterback Daniel Jones. However, the signs do not point in the favor of the Rams if they were to get Jones.

Although the Rams might get some quality draft picks from the Giants and maybe have Stafford’s contract paid for, the quality of Jones does not compare to Stafford. In 2024, Jones ranks 25 ^th with a 62.1 completion percentage. He also ranks 30 ^th in yards per pass at 6.1 yards. On the flip side, Stafford ranks 12 ^th with a 67.4 completion percentage and 20 ^th with 7.1 yards per pass in 2024.

When looking at postseason play, Jones made his first playoff appearance two years ago and went 1-1, including a 31-24 victory over Minnesota in the Wild Card round before losing to Philadelphia.

Stafford has a 4-4 postseason record, with all four of those wins coming in the 2021 playoffs, stamped by winning a Super Bowl against the Cincinnati Bengals. That Super Bowl run included wins over Arizona, Tampa Bay, and San Francisco as he had at least two touchdown passes in each playoff game.

Accepting this trade would be a bad look for Rams General Manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay.

Also read: Matthew Stafford Addresses Broadcasting Career Rumors As Los Angeles Rams’ Struggles Continue

Daniel Jones’ Contract situation

In March 2023, Jones signed a four-year contract worth $160 million. As a result, he was worth $40 million per season.

However, Stafford signed the same deal with the same years and average salary.

The difference is that one quarterback has played better since Jones made his debut in 2019. In the last five years, Stafford has a 33-36-1 record, including his time in Detroit before coming to the Rams. In that same span, Jones is 24-40-1. In addition, Stafford has thrown 123 passing touchdowns compared to Jones’ 68. The former first-round pick in 2009 also edges Jones in passing yards since 2019, 18,759 to 13,855.

This span includes Jones’ age 22 to 27 seasons while it is age 31 to 36 seasons for Stafford. So, Stafford is playing at a higher level, despite having more experience.

To round it out, Stafford has a rating of 96.5 in the last five years compared to Jones’ 84.7.

Furthermore, since signing that deal, there was at one point earlier this year that Jones had thrown more pick-sixes than touchdowns.

Also read: Los Angeles Rams Top Brass on Health of Franchise: Look At The Jerseys in the Stadium

Matthew Stafford likes the City of Angels

Since being traded from Detroit in January 2021, Stafford has been at the highest of highs and lowest of lows in Los Angeles.

In his first season in a Rams uniform, he was able to build a rapport with Cooper Kupp, who had one of the best seasons for a wide receiver with 145 receptions and 1,947 yards with 16 touchdowns, which all led the league. That helped Kupp earn his first Pro Bowl, his first AP All-Pro First-Team honor, and the AP Offensive Player of the Year.

However, what was more important was that Kupp caught the game-winning touchdown from Stafford with 1:25 left in the fourth quarter to win the Super Bowl inside SoFi Stadium . Kupp also went on to win Super Bowl MVP honors.

As a result, the connection between Stafford and Kupp has led to the signature nickname, “Nine and Dime,” in conjunction with their jersey numbers.

Even despite a 2022 campaign where the injuries took a toll on Stafford and the Rams, Stafford was able to come back last season and guide this team back to the playoffs where he played his former team in a game that came down to a one-point loss.

Overall, Stafford has enjoyed his time with the Los Angeles Rams. In addition, being 36 years old, he has another season before a potential opt-out after the 2025 season before becoming a free agent after the 2026 season.

He could easily finish his career in Los Angeles and not want to leave.

Related: 4 Potential Cooper Kupp Trade Scenarios for Los Angeles Rams to Consider

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