Matthew Stafford trade rumors: Steelers, Giants Among Teams Showing Interest in Rams QB Amid Contract Demands

After four seasons in Los Angeles, Matthew Stafford’s time with the Rams may be coming to an end. The Super Bowl-winning quarterback has been granted permission to explore his market value with other teams, potentially paving the way for a departure from L.A.

With Stafford now a possible trade candidate, multiple teams have reportedly expressed interest. According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Steelers, Browns, Raiders, and Giants are among those inquiring about the veteran quarterback.

However, interest alone doesn’t guarantee a deal. Stafford is currently set to earn $27 million from the Rams in 2025 but is seeking a significant pay increase. According to NFL Media’s Peter Schrager, he is aiming for a contract worth around $50 million per year—a price the Rams are hesitant to meet due to his age.

Any team looking to acquire Stafford will likely face a steep cost. Not only would they need to meet his contract demands, but they would also have to part with valuable draft picks to complete a trade with the Rams.

Which Teams Can Afford Matthew Stafford?

With multiple teams expressing interest in Matthew Stafford, the big question is: Who can actually afford to acquire him? Here’s a breakdown of each team’s available cap space, according to OverTheCap:

Raiders ($99.5 million in cap space)
Las Vegas is in a strong financial position to make a move for Stafford. Head coach Pete Carroll is familiar with the veteran quarterback, having faced him multiple times in both Detroit and Los Angeles. The Raiders could see Stafford as a short-term solution while they search for a long-term franchise quarterback. Tom Brady, who is assisting with the team’s QB search, knows firsthand how a veteran quarterback can transform a team immediately—just as he did with the Buccaneers in 2020, and as Stafford did with the Rams in 2021. While the Raiders may be unwilling to give up their sixth overall pick, the 37th overall pick could be a key piece in a potential deal.

Steelers ($60.1 million in cap space)
Pittsburgh has struggled to find stability at quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement. Currently, the team is considering Justin Fields or Russell Wilson for the 2025 season, but if they want a proven winner, Stafford might be their best option. Over the past four seasons, Stafford has won as many playoff games (five) as the Steelers have in the past 15 years. However, acquiring him may require parting with their 21st overall pick, and it remains to be seen if Pittsburgh is willing to pay that price.

Giants ($48.4 million in cap space)
New York’s front office is under pressure to turn things around quickly. With promising young playmakers like receiver Malik Nabers and running back Tyrone Tracy Jr., the team could make a significant leap with the right quarterback. If the Rams are seeking valuable draft capital, the Giants’ 34th overall pick could be part of a trade package to land Stafford.

Browns (-$24 million in cap space)
Cleveland is in a tough financial position, currently over the salary cap. While the Browns have started making moves to free up space—such as releasing Juan Thornhill to save $3.4 million—they would need to make several more adjustments to afford Stafford’s contract. Additionally, with Myles Garrett reportedly looking for a way out of Cleveland, Stafford may not view the Browns as an attractive destination.

What’s Next for Stafford?

The Rams were just one play away from advancing past the Eagles in the playoffs, so keeping Stafford remains an option. However, with trade speculation heating up, his future remains uncertain.

With the NFL Scouting Combine kicking off this week, trade discussions are expected to intensify, making Stafford one of the most intriguing names to watch in the coming days.