After signing an extension with the Los Angeles Rams, Sean McVay hopes Matthew Stafford stays with him.
The Rams announced Monday that McVay and general manager Les Snead were re-signed to multi-year contract extensions. The pair have been with the Rams for 10 years now.
Speaking to reporters from his home on Monday, McVay expressed his gratitude to the Rams organization; he also discussed several other players whose futures the Rams will have to make decisions about.
“It means a lot,” McVay said of his extension.
“[I] just realize how fortunate I feel to work for such great ownership, with [owner/chairman Stan] Kroenke and [his son] Josh and the family in general. Their whole family’s been incredible.
“I felt the most supported in the the moments that you need it the most, and it’s been unconditional and it’s been consistent, and our relationship has only built over these—going into year 10 ... and then to be able to lead alongside Les, [team President] Kevin [Demoff], [Chief Operating Officer] Tony [Pastoors], really just our organization ... they make this place special.
“I’m grateful for our players and our coaches because these opportunities don’t present themselves if you’re not around great people.”
McVay was hired in January 2017, having formerly served as offensive coordinator for the then-Washington Redskins. In just his second year as head coach, he led the Rams to Super Bowl LIII, though he lost to the New England Patriots 17-3. In 2021, the Rams traded quarterback Jared Goff, a 2021 third-round draft pick, and first-round picks in 2022 and 2023 for Stafford.
In Stafford’s first season with the Rams, he and McVay marched them all the way to a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. In his nine seasons as head coach, McVay has led the Rams to 7 playoff appearances, 3 NFC Championship game appearances, and the aforementioned two Super Bowls.
But Stafford is now 37 years old and has dealt with some significant injuries in the past few years. As such, McVay and the front office will have some difficult conversations with their quarterback and his family. McVay certainly wants Stafford back.
“I think that if that’s something that he wants to do, the answer is absolutely yes,” he said. “I think what’s great is, he’s going to take his time, talk with Kelly and the girls and see what’s best. But man, is he still playing at an incredible level. Our hope is that he does, but I think with respect to his timetable and ability to be able to communicate with you guys whenever he feels ready to make that announcement, we'll let him do that.”
McVay did not set a hard timetable for Stafford to make a decision, but said he thinks Stafford won’t drag out his decision for too long.
“I’m keeping my fingers crossed, like you guys, that he wants to still play,” McVay told reporters.
Besides Stafford, longtime veterans tight end Tyler Higbee and right tackle Rob Havenstein are also candidates for retirement. Both players are 33 years old and have 10 years’ experience; they also have injury concerns and young prospects behind them on the depth chart. McVay said he has spoken to both players but is treating them the same as Stafford.
“Those guys are all-time Rams,” he said.
“I think it’s one of those deals like, hey, give them a little bit of time, let them digest, unpack the emotions of where they’re at, whether they continue to play or whether they don’t want to play anymore.
“They’ve been legacy players. They’ve been legacy human beings, more importantly ... We‘ll circle back at the appropriate date that’s respectful for them, and then be able to let me know what they’re thinking, and then we’ll follow from that point on.”
Wide receiver Davante Adams is also 33, and McVay said he was heartbroken after the NFC Championship loss, the fifth of his career. McVay felt sympathy for Adams and for the rest of the team, but said the image of Adams in the locker room with his helmet still on was motivation for him to get back to the mountain.
Unlike Stafford, Higbee, and Havenstein, McVay had no doubts about whether he'd be back.
“Absolutely,” he said. “I have no reason to believe otherwise.”
