If the Minnesota Vikings decide to part ways with Sam Darnold, they will likely be in the market for a veteran quarterback to bridge the gap. While J.J. McCarthy is nearing full recovery from his meniscus surgery last August, the team may prefer to have an experienced signal-caller in place if they determine he isn’t ready to start.
Minnesota has already tested Daniel Jones in a short-term role, but another veteran could emerge as a potential option—Matthew Stafford.
Stafford’s future with the Los Angeles Rams is uncertain, especially as the team explores trading star wide receiver Cooper Kupp. His wife, Kelly Stafford, recently voiced her frustration on her podcast, suggesting that her husband wants to remain competitive, even if that means leaving Los Angeles.
“I wasn’t planning on discussing this, but hell, why not? My husband wants to win,” Kelly said. “Trading away Cooper, I’m confused. We were one play away from going to the NFC Championship, and I think if we go, we win.”
She also hinted that Stafford could be open to a new opportunity if the Rams decide to move him, adding, “Right now, if the Rams decided that they wanted to trade him, or Matthew decided he didn’t want to play for the Rams, I’m good. I would move my family.”
With Stafford facing an uncertain future in Los Angeles and the Vikings needing stability at quarterback, Minnesota could be a potential landing spot if he becomes available.
Rams’ Matthew Stafford’s Contract Standing Could Force Trade
Kelly Stafford’s comments about Matthew not wanting to put teams in a bad situation suggest that the veteran quarterback might be open to a pay cut.
Stafford and Cooper Kupp currently hold the two largest cap hits on the Rams’ 2025 roster, with Stafford set to make $49.7 million and Kupp carrying a $29.8 million cap hit, of which $22.3 million is guaranteed.
It appears the Rams are exploring trade options for Kupp in an effort to clear cap space, which has frustrated Kelly Stafford. She even hinted that Matthew might be willing to restructure his deal if it meant keeping Kupp in Los Angeles.
Kelly Stafford: “My husband wants to win. … Trading away a Cooper Kupp? I’m confused because we were one play away from going to the NFC Championship. I have to be the dog in this situation—I want the respect for him that he deserves. I love the city of L.A. With that being said… pic.twitter.com/SJzDB78ww2
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 6, 2025
However, if the Rams are determined to move on from Kupp, Stafford could be open to a fresh start elsewhere—perhaps with a team that is closer to contention.
The Vikings, despite falling to the Rams 27-9 in the NFC playoffs, have the financial flexibility to build a strong roster. They currently hold the fifth-most effective cap space in 2025 at $55.7 million, making them a team that could potentially absorb Stafford’s contract or offer him a more competitive situation.
What a Matthew Stafford Would Look Like for Vikings
A potential Matthew Stafford trade to the Vikings would be costly for the Rams, who would absorb $44 million in dead cap if they moved him. However, Stafford’s contract would be much more manageable for his new team, with cap hits of $27 million in 2025 and $31 million in 2026, per Over The Cap.
For Los Angeles, any trade involving Stafford would likely require a first-round pick in return, as they would need assets to find their next quarterback.
That price tag, however, could be a non-starter for the Vikings. Minnesota has built its roster around long-term sustainability, focusing on developing a young quarterback rather than going all-in on a short-term veteran fix.
Despite that, the Stafford-to-Vikings rumors have gained traction within NFL circles. If Minnesota’s front office views Stafford as the missing piece to their championship aspirations, it would reunite him with head coach Kevin O’Connell, who helped him lead the Rams to a Super Bowl in 2021.
One major factor in favor of such a move is Stafford’s relatively modest cap hit. At an average of $29 million per season, he would rank 18th among quarterbacks in cap hits for the next two years—far cheaper than re-signing Sam Darnold, who could command $40 million annually.
However, Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has previously been wary of an “all-in” approach, famously stating, “you never want to go full Rams.” If he truly sticks to that philosophy, Minnesota would likely resist a Stafford trade—especially one that costs J.J. McCarthy, their potential franchise quarterback.
That said, Adofo-Mensah’s own job security could influence his decision. If he feels pressure to win now, he might be more open to accelerating the Vikings’ contention window with a Stafford deal—but only with O’Connell’s full support.
Leave a Reply