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The 2026 NFL MVP hinted at a return in February and put it in writing this week: Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is officially preparing for the 2026 season.
Stafford, who led the NFL in passing yards and touchdown passes last season, signed a one-year extension with the Rams worth up to $55 million.
FOX Sports’ Colin Cowherd believes the Rams’ recent draft class made it possible to extend Stafford while keeping a talented defense intact.
“The Rams can do that and pay for it because they’ve drafted really well, but in about two years, they’re going to have some really good players and a lot of them are going to have to pay money defensively,” Cowherd said on Friday’s edition of The Herd.
The returning lineup of Los Angeles plus Stafford instantly makes them one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl next year. Their defense also received an upgrade with the blockbuster trade for veteran cornerback Trent McDuffie.
In the NFL Draft, the Rams used their first-round pick on quarterback Ty Simpson, who became one of the most impactful picks in the draft. Los Angeles had been projected to select a weapon player, such as a wide receiver or tight end, with its first-round pick.
Although Simpson’s selection might have been questionable for the Rams, Rob Rang of FOX Sports still viewed Simpson as the perfect candidate.
“Before the draft, I mentioned the Rams as one of the cleanest options for Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. His pre-throw recognition and accuracy project quite well in Sean McVay’s offense, and with Matthew Stafford already in place, Simpson will have the opportunity to learn from the bench, rather than being pushed onto the field prematurely,” Rang wrote.
Simpson led the Alabama Crimson Tide to their first College Football Playoff appearance with coach Kalen DeBoer at the helm. After a first-round win over Oklahoma, the Tide fell to a brutal 38-3 Rose Bowl loss to eventual champions Indiana in the quarterfinals. Now, Simpson will prepare to take over the Rams’ offense when it’s time for Stafford to hang up his cleats.
The Rams’ returning offense still features wide receivers Puka Nacua and Devonte Adams, tight end Colby Parkinson and running back duo Blake Corum and Kyren Williams.
Cowherd also saw the selection of Simpson as the right decision, especially if Stafford potentially retires following his extension.
“That’s why I defended the Ty Simpson pick… They’re trying to dominate two schedules. Schedule number one is: win a Super Bowl now and next year. Schedule two is: get their QB in place without getting into a bidding war in two years.”
Last year, the Rams fell short of a title, losing to the eventual Super Bowl LX champions, the Seattle Seahawks, in the NFC Championship. It was their first time back in the conference title game since winning Super Bowl LVI in 2022. Now, with Stafford officially back, the Rams are already positioned to make another deep run this season.
The Rams officially open the 2026 season in Melbourne (the first NFL regular-season game in Australia) with an NFC West game against the San Francisco 49ers on September 10.
