Giants questions loom as Rams give Matthew Stafford green light to talk with other teams

Giants questions loom as Rams give Matthew Stafford green light to talk with other teams

If the Giants truly want to pursue a trade for Matthew Stafford, the Rams just made it easier for interested teams to find out what it might take to land the Super Bowl-winning quarterback.

The Rams have granted Stafford and his agent permission to speak with other NFL teams about his value, NFL Network reported.

The 37-year-old Stafford has not formally requested a trade, but the two-time Pro Bowler wants to secure a new contract and this move will enable the Rams and Stafford an opportunity “to gain a better understanding of his worth,” the report stated.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) calls a play from the line of scrimmage in the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles in a 2025 NFC divisional round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Stafford is set to hold a salary-cap figure of $49.6 million for 2025, but the Rams can save $27 million if they trade him after June 1 and $23 million if they cut him after that date.

The Giants retained both GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll following a disastrous 3-14 season that saw them release former starting signal-caller Daniel Jones in November.

They currently have no quarterbacks under contract for next season — with both Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito headed for free agency — and they have been linked in recent days to Stafford.

New York Giants senior vice president and general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll at a press conference on July 24, 2024. Robert Sabo for NY Post

The Giants own the No. 3 overall pick in the April draft, but they might not be able to secure either of the top two rated QBs — Cam Ward of Miami or Shedeur Sanders of Colorado — without making a trade to move up in the first round.

Moving on from Stafford also could free up the Rams to sign 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers, who was informed by the Jets earlier this month that he would not be returning.

Matthew Stafford won a Super Bowl with the Rams in 2022. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The four-time league MVP threw for 3,897 yards with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 17 starts in his first season back from 2023 Achilles surgery, but the Jets finished just 5-12 and missed the playoffs for the 14th consecutive year.

Stafford played the first 12 seasons of his 16-year NFL career with the Lions before he was traded to Los Angeles for Jared Goff and two first-round picks in March 2021.

Stafford started 16 games for the Rams in 2024, throwing 3,762 yards with 20 touchdowns, eight interceptions and a pᴀsser rating of 93.7.

The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine is slated to take place beginning Thursday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

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