Los Angeles Rams Quarterback Stafford Expects to Return Next Season

The Los Angeles Rams are entering an offseason full of uncertainty, but at least they know they're set at quarterback. Matthew Stafford told reporters at his Monday exit interview that he will return next season regardless of whether or not head coach Sean McVay retires.

Matthew Stafford says in exit interviews that he doesn’t know whether Sean McVay will be back in 2023. Stafford also reiterates he is not retiring, and whether or not McVay leaves has no effect on that decision.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) January 9, 2023

Rumor has it McVay is considering leaving the Rams, which has spurred endless speculation that a reset is coming for the organization. Stafford personally suffered through a concussion and a back contusion this season, struggling to 1879 net passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and eight interceptions across his nine starts. Considering his age (34) and his history of injuries (35 missed games over his career), a return certainly wasn't guaranteed.

The Rams finished the season 5-12 and 27th in scoring, but they can probably expect some positive regression considering they won Super Bowl LVI less than 12 months ago. Still, it's not like injuries explain away all their problems: Stafford, defensive tackle Aaron Donald, and wide receiver Cooper Kupp were all mostly available for the first half of the season, and the Rams still lost five of their first eight games.