Complex contract for Rams’ Matthew Stafford details reveal ‘dummy year’

For the 2026 season, Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford will earn quite a bit of cash. And who knows if he might run it back in 2027? But the details of his contract reveal a “dummy year,” according to a post on X by Tom Pelissero.

“Sources: Rams QB Matthew Stafford’s recently revised contract includes rolling guarantee triggers after the 2026 and 2027 seasons, creating flexibility and allowing both sides to continue evaluating the reigning NFL MVP’s future each of the next two offseasons.”

There’s more to the details, so let’s take a look at what the Rams are doing.

Rams getting creative with QB Matthew Stafford’s contract

The Rams surprised most of the NFL when they selected quarterback Ty Simpson in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. But they’re paying Stafford in a way that seems to suggest he’ll be around a while.

“Stafford is still due $40 million in 2026, and now also has a $5M guaranteed roster bonus in March 2027,” Pelissero wrote. “His $45M base salary in 2027 and a $5M March 2028 roster bonus become fully guaranteed if he’s still on the roster on the third day of the 2027 league year, meaning a decision for next season comes by mid-March.”

But here’s the intriguing part.

“A $100 million base salary in 2029 would vest if Stafford is on the 10th day of the 2028 league year — a dummy year that creates a deadline for the sides to work out a new deal or move on if Stafford, who will turn 40 in February 2028, intends to keep playing,” Pelissero wrote. “Stafford can earn $5 million in incentives each of the next two seasons ($2.5M for NFC championship win and $2.5M for Super Bowl win with 70% playtime in each game).

“So, if counting the March roster bonuses as part of the prior year’s compensation, Stafford is due $45 million for 2026 and $50M for 2027, with a chance to earn $105M total with incentives over two seasons.”

Wow. That’s a lot of dough. And it’s a lot of incentive for people who like money. And NFL players seem to like that.

But it probably makes Simpson press pause. Maybe he will sit behind Stafford for longer than he planned, kind of like Aaron Rodgers did behind Brett Favre.

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