Winner: The Rams
They’re the largest and most blatant winners as a result of it means they’ve their quarterback for the quick time period and shouldn’t have to exit into a skinny free-agent market or skinny draft class to attempt to discover a substitute. Stafford is perhaps in his mid-30s, however they had been had been a few performs from the NFC Championship Sport and nonetheless have a top-tier passer.
Winner: Matthew Stafford
He will get a brand new deal, more cash and will get to remain the place he’s with out having to maneuver throughout the nation, or transfer to a staff that isn’t as near competing because the Rams are (like, say, the Raiders or Giants).
Loser: Tom Brady
Brady has not misplaced a lot with regards to NFL issues, however he does take a little bit of an “L” right here. He’s clearly attempting to quickly speed up the Raiders’ timeline for profitable and even reportedly met with Stafford at a ski resort in Montana (the NFL says it was all by the book and never tampering). Now that he missed out on him, he has to discover a Plan B for brand new head coach Pete Carroll. The free-agency class is skinny on potential choices, and the Raiders is perhaps out of vary for Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders on the high of the draft class with out transferring up from the No. 6 spot, which might be extraordinarily dear.
Winner: Sam Darnold
Now that Stafford is staying in Los Angeles, Darnold is sort of actually essentially the most enticing quarterback accessible this offseason and will most likely land a profitable contract. Even when it carries some important danger for the staff signing him to it. Darnold has actually had solely one massive 12 months within the NFL (this previous season), and it got here underneath good circumstances from a supporting solid perspective. Will he get that from one of many quarterback-needy groups this offseason? Very uncertain. Nevertheless it additionally won’t matter so far as his free-agency pursuits and checking account are involved.
Loser: The Steelers
Stafford at all times appeared like a fantasy for the Steelers, however he was the very best fantasy as a result of it may need truly moved the needle for them to assist make them a contender. Now they must take care of the fact that they should run it again for one more 12 months with both Russell Wilson or Justin Fields. We all know what that ceiling is. We now have already seen it. The worst-case situation, nevertheless, is attempting the Aaron Rodgers expertise for a 12 months. Talking of…
Winner and loser: Aaron Rodgers
In some methods, Rodgers is each a winner and loser. On one hand, with Stafford staying in Los Angeles Rodgers, he may even have a market. It may very well be the Giants, the Raiders or even perhaps the Steelers as they attempt to make one other run at contending. The unhealthy information is that if Stafford had left the Rams, Rodgers may need had a possibility to switch him and play for a greater staff. He may discover a taker, but it surely may very well be one thing bleak.
Loser: The Giants
Stafford wouldn’t have turned the Giants into an immediate contender, however now the door is open for them to make a potentially massive, massive mistake by signing Rodgers. They don’t want this. Rodgers doesn’t want this. No person wants this.
