The Vikings, Rams could light up the league with a Matthew Stafford trade this upcoming offseason. Free agency is next month, but trade rumors are heating up ahead of Super Bowl weekend, so this means several teams will likely be in the market for a trade as buyers and sellers. According to one source, they believe the Vikings could swap quarterbacks Sam Darnold for Stafford with the Rams. This might seem a little confusing at first since Darnold is a free agent next month and is free to sign anywhere he wants, meanwhile, Stafford could be heading to the Vikings.
Stafford has been the subject of trade rumors the entire 2024 campaign, especially after the 1-4 start to the season. However, the Rams found a way to make it to at least the Divisional round, but that might not be enough for the team to keep Stafford around. After putting wide receiver Cooper Kupp on the trade block, the Rams will probably build a new regime under head coach Sean McVay for the first time. It wasn’t too long ago that Stafford and Kupp helped the organization win a Super Bowl three years ago so it’s a bit surprising the team is willing to move on.
However, if the rumors are true, Stafford should have a trade interest market from several teams. He doesn’t have much left in the tank, but he does have the arm and experience to lead a depleting roster to a championship game. The Saints, Raiders could be the new teams that may be frontrunners for Stafford if he’s available.
Vikings, Rams Linked in NFL Blockbuster Matthew Stafford Trade – Saints, Raiders Could Intervene
Finally a Rebuild?
The New Orleans Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis is still reluctant to rebuild, but it might have to happen for the team to start winning ball games. Quarterback Derek Carr had his moments the past two seasons with the roster, and in the end, he couldn’t lead the team to at least deep in the postseason. Since he’s not willing to take a pay cut, the organization might be releasing him from his contract, depending on who the next head coach will be. The Saints might not have the weapons with Chris Olave’s future up in the air but Stafford’s experience could help New Orleans become a competitive postseason team again since the Drew Brees Era.
Stafford might be getting older as the years are floating by but that wouldn’t matter to the Saints. Rookie Spencer Rattler is still in development mode and this could be the perfect opportunity for him to learn behind him.
Pete’s New Guy
As for the Raiders, the organization seems to be putting the right building blocks together. After hiring Pete Carroll, the team must ensure they search for the right signal-caller this offseason. There’s a chance they might not draft Shedeur Sanders, so they should be in the market for a trade this free agency if Stafford becomes available. It might come down to him or Russell Wilson since the Steelers aren’t looking to bring him back.
Whatever happens, Stafford seems more of a fit even though he wants to head to a winning team. However, the Raiders might not have that, but they could easily become that with his presence and a few more right moves from the front office.
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