Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Rams GM on Matthew Stafford: He's 'one of our pillars'

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 3/9/23

Former NFL general manager and longtime executive Michael Lombardi said Thursday that the Los Angeles Rams have contacted teams about trying to move quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Rams GM Les Snead addressed the increasing Stafford chatter later in the day, seeming to deny the reports. Snead did, however, note that Los Angeles has received inquiries from other teams on a host of their key players.

“We’re going to definitely rely on Matthew, he’s definitely one of our pillars.” - Les Snead addressing Rams QB situation today with us. “He’s definitely someone we’re going to rely on … as we remodel this.” Says he says remodel bc they aren’t “bulldozing house down.”
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) March 9, 2023

(Snead has been scheduled to do a presser juuuuust as a heads up for those commenters wondering ha…as noted in previous reporting, the Rams did get calls on Stafford and *all* of their core players)
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) March 9, 2023

Rams GM Les Snead said he counted prior to this press conference and has "taken calls on nine players" this offseason.
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) March 9, 2023

While appearing on "The Pat McAfee Show" Thursday, Lombardi said that the Rams were having difficulty finding takers for the former longtime Detroit Lions signal-caller due to his hefty contract where "he's got $57 million guaranteed."

Despite plenty of rumors regarding Stafford's future (including loads of retirement whispers), the one-time Pro Bowler has reiterated that he's planning on playing next season.

The 35-year-old was limited to nine games last season due to a spinal cord contusion and didn't suit up after Week 11. Los Angeles suffered one of the most brutal Super Bowl hangovers in recent memory by finishing with the third-worst record in the NFC at 5-12.

Although Stafford had a career high 68.0% completion percentage, he also recorded a pedestrian 2,087 passing yards and only 10 touchdowns against eight interceptions, while posting his worst quarterback rating (87.4) since 2014.

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