The Matthew Stafford sweepstakes officially came to a close over the weekend when the Los Angeles Rams and their veteran quarterback agreed to terms on a new deal, ensuring he will remain in L.A. despite widespread trade interest.
Several teams were actively pursuing Stafford, hoping to pry him away from the Rams with the promise of a lucrative new contract. Among the most aggressive suitors were the New York Giants, who are searching for a new franchise quarterback after parting ways with Daniel Jones last season.
According to NFL Network host Rich Eisen, the Giants didn’t just express interest—they met the Rams’ trade demands and offered Stafford an even more lucrative contract than what he ultimately accepted in Los Angeles. However, even with a compelling financial package and a serious push, Stafford chose familiarity and stability over a fresh start.
Giants Made a Serious Run at Stafford
On The Rich Eisen Show, Eisen detailed just how close the Giants and Raiders came to securing a deal for Stafford, noting that discussions were intensely competitive throughout the week.
“I heard the Giants and Raiders’ interest in Matthew Stafford was quite real, and it was hairy at certain junctures last week. And I heard the Giants hit the number… and they hit the trade comp, too. They were in.”
Eisen also revealed that the Giants made an extra effort to make Stafford feel at home, even going as far as hiring his brother-in-law, Chad Hall, to their coaching staff in an attempt to sweeten the deal.
Despite all of that, Stafford remained unmoved by New York’s aggressive push, opting to stay in Los Angeles for both personal and competitive reasons.
“I think at the end of the day, the Staffords like looking at the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean, and it’s, when it all comes down to it, it’s the best spot for him [to win],” Eisen said.
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What’s Next for the Giants?
It remains unclear exactly what trade package the Giants put on the table, but Eisen’s report suggests that New York met L.A.’s asking price and was willing to pay Stafford more than what he accepted with the Rams.
With Stafford officially off the market, the Giants are now back to square one in their search for a quarterback. They may turn their attention to the NFL Draft, where Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders are projected first-round talents, or explore other veteran options via trade or free agency.
For now, Stafford’s decision to stay put leaves the Giants scrambling to find their next QB, while the Rams can breathe easy knowing their Super Bowl-winning quarterback isn’t going anywhere.
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