Why the Rams Should Keep Matthew Stafford

The Los Angeles Rams are 5-4 after winning three straight, but their playoff hopes took a hit when wide receiver Puka Nacua was sidelined for at least four weeks and was expected to go on injured reserve. Their next stretch includes games against Green Bay, Kansas City and San Francisco, making the timing of the injury especially difficult.

Minnesota’s loss to Buffalo fueled talk of a possible Stafford deal. The Vikings have a strong defense and head coach Kevin O’Connell, who has worked with Stafford. Quarterback play has been a problem: Kyler Murray has not provided a convincing answer before his injury, while Carson Wentz completed eight of 25 passes for 81 yards and threw two interceptions against the Bills.

For the Rams, however, trading Stafford could undermine both their season and their plans for rookie Ty Simpson. Los Angeles selected Simpson 13th overall with the intention that he would learn behind Stafford, rather than take over during his first year. With Nacua and Davante Adams out, handing him the job now could put him in a difficult position. It could also unsettle Stetson Bennett, whom the Rams named Stafford’s backup after a summer competition.

At 5-4, the Rams are still above .500, and a deal would signal that they are abandoning a season they began with Super Bowl ambitions. Even a first-round pick from Minnesota might not justify the move if it lands late in the round. The Rams have little reason to trade Stafford without a major return, and moving him now could hurt both the current team and Simpson’s development.