NFL Network's Tom Pelissero said on the Rich Eisen Show on Friday that the Los Angeles Rams have given quarterback Matthew Stafford's agent permission to talk with other teams to gauge his contract value this offseason if he were to be traded. It also helps the Rams in their own negotiations with Stafford by letting the market determine what his value could be in 2025. Pelissero says that it seems like the Rams and Stafford's priority is to run it back in 2025, but if nothing is settled in a couple of weeks, a trade could become more likely. It will all come down to what Stafford views as fair compensation for his services for another year and what the Rams are willing to pay him. If the Rams and Stafford cannot agree on a new deal, the 37-year-old veteran QB will become the most coveted signal-caller available after his strong finish in which the Rams almost beat the eventual Super Bowl-champion Eagles in the playoffs.

Rumors have been swirling about the future of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford this offseason. With Los Angeles continuing to rebuild a young roster, there has been speculation that he could be traded, with "several teams" having already called the Rams. However, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports league sources are "adamant" that head coach Sean McVay and the organization want him back in 2025. Trading the veteran would result in a $45.3 million dead cap hit in 2025 and a $23 million dead cap hit in 2026, and there's no evidence to support Stafford wants to leave, either. Stafford completed 65.8% of his passes for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns, and eight interceptions last season despite playing a significant stretch of the year without Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. Kupp is almost certainly going to be dealt, but it sounds unlikely that Stafford will be playing for a new team next season.

The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue writes that it's not a given that quarterback Matthew Stafford will remain with the Los Angeles Rams going into the 2025 season despite both sides' openness to work out a deal. The best path forward is Stafford returning for one more year in L.A., but head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead not overtly committing to Stafford at the end of the year signals that they are open to a potential trade this offseason. Basically, the Rams have a youthful roster and don't want to make a significant financial commitment to an aging QB whose long-term future and durability are uncertain. The 37-year-old only missed one game in 2024, though, and was peaking in the postseason. Several NFL executives think Stafford has another good season left in him, but if the Rams stick with him in 2025, they are putting off their future another year. The Rams are essentially between a rock and a hard place and their backup last season, Jimmy Garoppolo, will be a free agent.

Running back Miles Sanders signed a four-year, $25.4 million deal with the Carolina Panthers before the 2023 season, but his biggest supporters, head coach Frank Reich and assistant coach Duce Staley, were fired 11 games into that season. Sanders then took on a backup role behind Chuba Hubbard. The Athletic's Joseph Person writes that the Panthers will create $5.23 million in salary cap space this year by cutting Sanders. Jonathon Brooks is expected to miss the entire 2025 season after a second ACL surgery, but Carolina should be able to find cheaper RB options than Sanders to serve in a backup role to Hubbard. The 27-year-old was a first-time Pro Bowler in his final season with the Eagles in 2022, but he was not the same back in Carolina, averaging only 3.5 yards per carry while racking up 637 rushing yards and only three touchdowns on 184 rushing attempts in 27 games (seven starts).

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is due for a contract extension after leading the NFL in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708), and receiving touchdowns (17) in 2024. The former first-round pick out of LSU could command an average salary of $40 million, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. This would make Chase the highest-paid wideout in NFL history and $5 million ahead of former college teammate Justin Jefferson. Chase is off to one of the best starts for a wide receiver in NFL history, and the Bengals hope to lock him up long-term this offseason along with fellow wideout Tee Higgins.