Los Angeles Rams News & Rumors

AUGUST 16: The Rams declined to comment on Stafford’s status when asked if he took part in today’s planned workout (h/t Barshop). McVay is scheduled to speak to the media on Monday, at which point more details will emerge regarding Stafford’s latest efforts to get on the field.

AUGUST 15: Last Saturday, Matthew Stafford took part in a throwing session. The success of that workout initially put him on track take part in Rams training camp practices for the first time this offseason. Instead, he has yet to participate while dealing with a back issue.

Another workout will take place tomorrow, ESPN’s Sarah Barshop notes. Stafford was held out of practice Monday due to an abundance of caution, and head coach Sean McVay said at the time no thought has been given to surgery. Full participation in the regular season has long been named as the target in this case, but it remains to be seen if or when Stafford will see the field in a practice setting.

McVay responded with “a little bit of both” when asked if the issue relates to functionality or pain management. He added, “we’re trying to get our hands around this as well, so I don’t really have much more information other than [I] think we’re trying some different things that are hopefully going to be in alignment with getting him back out on the field.”

Barshop’s colleague Jeremy Fowler reports the Rams continue to expect Stafford to be available for Week 1. Still, the decisively uncertain tone of McVay’s latest comments on the matter will no doubt be at least some cause for concern. This offseason saw the latest arrangement made between team and player in Stafford’s case, and the Super Bowl winner is owed guaranteed money into 2026. His health for the next two seasons (at a minimum) thus represents a central priority.

At the age of 37, chronic ailments will increasingly become something to monitor regarding Stafford. He is no stranger to playing through pain dating back to his Lions tenure, though, so it would come as no surprise if a full 17-game slate were to still be on tap. It will be interesting to see how tomorrow’s session goes and how the team aims to proceed in its aftermath.

Coming off a run to the divisional round of the postseason, the Rams will rely heavily on Stafford once again in 2025. Backup Jimmy Garoppolo and third-stringer Stetson Bennett have been in place to handle all quarterback reps so far in camp, but that could change in the near future.

10:00pm: When speaking to the media after practice, McVay said (via Barshop) Stafford’s non-participation in today’s practice came about through an abundance of caution after his back “didn’t feel good enough.” When asked if surgery has received consideration, McVay added no discussions on that front have taken place. This situation remains one to watch over the coming days.

12:48pm: Monday was targeted as the day for Matthew Stafford to return to practice with the Rams. That will not be the case, however.

Stafford is not in uniform for today’s practice, as noted by ESPN’s Sarah Barshop. She adds the 37-year-old is instead in a mobile Ammortal chamber, which helps with “restoration and rejuvenation” regarding injuries and pain management. A lingering back issue has increasingly become a storyline for team and player this summer, and today’s development will do nothing to quell further doubts about Stafford’s Week 1 availability.

The Rams have consistently remained confident the issue will not extend into September, and a Saturday throwing session took place without any setbacks. That appeared to set Stafford up for practice in individual drills today, with work off to the side potentially taking place during the following days as joint practices with the Chargers unfolded. Injuries to the Bolts led to those joint practices being canceled, something which could pave the way for an increased participation rate over the coming days in Stafford’s case.

At this point, however, it remains unclear when the Super Bowl winner will suit up. Stafford’s camp explored a trade this offseason before the latest restructure to his contract was worked out. The 2025 arrangement resulted in another short-term raise but also money being guaranteed for next season. As a result, a clean bill of health is crucial for the Rams’ outlook beyond the coming campaign.

Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett are set to continue taking reps in practice at the quarterback spot. Team and player will of course hope Stafford joins that group in the near future as evaluations of his back continue. After receiving treatment today, it will be interesting to see what his outlook becomes moving forward. Head coach Sean McVay has said Stafford would be available to play if it were currently the regular season, but this issue is clearly a point of concern as the countdown to Week 1 continues.

Back soreness resulted in Matthew Stafford being limited to start training camp. Instead of returning to practice this coming week, the Super Bowl winner will be sidelined.

Rams head coach Sean McVay said on Saturday (via ESPN’s Sarah Barshop) that Stafford is still expected to be at full strength in time for Week 1. For now, though, the 37-year-old is considered week-to-week.

“I don’t think we can be smart enough with somebody like Matthew [Stafford] and I think it’s best for him, best for our football team, and that’s kind of the plan that we’ll have moving forward,” McVay said of the team’s amended practice schedule which will be implemented this summer.

McVay also noted (via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network) that Stafford is on board with the plan to manage his workload during camp. The team will also employ a “modified schedule” for practice with other veterans on the offensive side of the ball. Longevity through the campaign is the target as Los Angeles aims for another postseason run in 2025.

Keeping Stafford in particular healthy will of course be critical to the team’s success. He was able to handle a full campaign last year, only sitting out the regular season finale with the Rams having already clinched the NFC West title. A sustained run of availability will also be key given the commitments which are in place beyond the 2025 campaign.

The Rams allowed Stafford to survey his trade market this offseason before ultimately working out another restructured pact. The two-time Pro Bowler is scheduled to collect $84MM over the next two years, with $56MM of that figure – including $16MM in 2026 – fully guaranteed. No long-term successor is in place, so Stafford’s healthy and level of play will remain central in determining the team’s fate for at least another two years.

In the meantime, veteran backup Jimmy Garoppolo and 2023 fourth-rounder Stetson Bennett will handle practice reps at the quarterback spot. Stafford will see time as camp progresses, but his ability to avoid any setbacks will be a storyline to monitor leading up to the regular season.