USAT: Rams Wire audio clip

USAT: Rams Wire

Mar 20, 2022

Matthew Stafford and the Rams agreed to a four-year extension worth $160 million, keeping the quarterback in Los Angeles through the 2026 season. Not only did the Rams want to ensure Stafford doesn’t hit free agency anytime soon, but they also used this as a way to lower his cap hit in 2022. - According to Spotrac, the Rams lowered his cap number from $23 million to $13.5 million this year, a savings of $9.5 million this year. His cap hit is manageable in 2023, too, at just $20 million. That’s the 12th-highest among quarterbacks. - Where things really start to get costly for the Rams is in 2024. His cap hit that year balloons to $49.5 million, followed by $50.5 million in 2025 and $49.5 million in 2026. Essentially, the Rams can’t get out of his contract until after the 2025 season, not that they plan to. - From 2022-2025, his contract carries at least $24 million in dead money each year if he’s cut. In 2026, that dead cap charge drops to $12 million. Again, the Rams plan for him to play out his entire contract, but things don’t always go according to plan (see: Goff, Jared and Gurley, Todd). - - Matthew Stafford's #Rams Extension– 4 yrs, $160M– $63M guaranteed at sign– Another $57M locks next March– 5 yrs, $183M total– 4 yrs, $152M practical - Cap Hits22: $13.5M ($9.5M saved)23: $20M24: $49.5M25: $50.5M26: $49.5M - Full Breakdown:

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