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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 ready 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 it and pay it because they drafted so well, but in about two years they have some really good players and money is going to pay with a lot of them on defense,” Cowherd said on Friday’s edition of The Herd.
Los Angeles’ returning lineup plus Stafford instantly make them an early favorite to win the Super Bowl next year. Their defense also received an upgrade with their blockbuster trade for veteran cornerback Trent McDuffie.
When the NFL Draft came around, the Rams used their first round pick on quarterback Ty Simpson, who became one of the most shocking picks in the draft. Los Angeles had been projected to select a weapon player, like a wide receiver or a tight end with their first round.
While Simpson’s pick might have been questionable for the Rams, FOX Sports’ Rob Rang still saw Simpson as a perfect fit.
“Prior to the draft, I listed the Rams as one of the cleanest fits for Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. His pre-snap recognition and accuracy work quite well for Sean McVay’s offense, and with Matthew Stafford already in place, Simpson will have the opportunity to learn from the sidelines, rather than being pushed onto the field too early,” 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 in a brutal 38-3 loss at the Rose Bowl to eventual champions Indiana in the quarterfinals. Now, Simpson will prepare to take over the Rams offense when it comes time for Stafford to hang up the cleats.
The Rams’ returning offense still features wide receivers Puka Nacua and Devonte Adams, tight end Colby Parkinson and running back pair Blake Corum and Kyren Williams.
Cowherd also saw the Simpson pick as the right call, especially if Stafford potentially retires after his extension.
“That’s why I defended the Ty Simpson pick. … They’re trying to master two timelines. The number one timeline is: Win a Super Bowl now and next year. The other timeline is: Having their QB in place without getting into a bidding war in two years.”
Last year, the Rams fell short of a title when they lost 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 their Super Bowl LVI win in 2022. Now, with Stafford’s official return, the Rams are already positioned to make another deep run this season.
The Rams will officially open the 2026 season in Melbourne (the first ever NFL regular season game in Australia) with an NFC West matchup against the San Francisco 49ers on September 10.
