Little has gone right in 2022 for the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams -- including the performance and health of quarterback Matthew Stafford.
The Rams' down year, combined with Stafford's advancing age and the serious season-ending injury he suffered, have prompted whispers about whether he will return to the gridiron for 2023.
But Stafford appears to be scuttling those rumors.
During a recent appearance on his wife Kelly's podcast, Stafford left little doubt that he will be back for at least one more NFL season.
"Oh, no," Stafford said when asked if he was calling it a career. "No."
The former No. 1 overall draft pick, who turns 35 in February, was limited to nine games this season due to an elbow injury, a concussion and, most alarmingly, a spinal injury. He was placed on injured reserve on Dec. 4 and ruled out for the remainder of the season on Dec. 10. Head coach Sean McVay expressed optimism Stafford would make a full recovery by beginning his offseason several weeks early.
Like the rest of his team, Stafford saw a steep dropoff in production in 2022, fueled by defections and injuries among his supporting cast. He was under heavy pressure from opposing defenses behind a revamped offensive line, which led to him absorbing many more hits.
The Rams are due for a roster overhaul in the offseason to replenish their overall talent, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, but Stafford appears likely to return. McVay has previously alluded to Stafford being in the team's plan for 2023, and there's no obvious in-house option to replace him. Stafford's cap hit in 2023 is $20 million.
In Stafford's absence, the Rams acquired Baker Mayfield following his release from the Carolina Panthers. Mayfield has gone 1-1 as the starter and could be an option to return as Stafford's backup, depending on whether he receives any interest to serve as the starter elsewhere.
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