Top 5 potential trade fits for Rams QB Matthew Stafford

Will Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford actually be traded? It's a legitimate question following a report from NFL Media this weekend that the Rams granted Stafford permission to speak to other teams about his value.

NFL Insider Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports also reported in recent days that the Rams and Stafford would both prefer to run it back together in 2025 but need to resolve his contract situation. The 37-year-old quarterback is due a $4 million roster bonus in March but otherwise has no guaranteed money in his $23 million contract.

Stafford and the Rams went through a tough negotiation last year that ended with Los Angeles sweetening his deal for 2024 by moving $5 million from his 2025 compensation and guaranteeing all $40 million. Stafford delivered by leading a young Rams roster to within a play of beating the eventual champion Eagles and advancing to the NFC title game. 

This week, the Rams and Stafford's agent are planning to meet at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis to see if they can find common ground on a new deal. If they ultimately cannot, L.A. will be seeking a first-round pick for Stafford.

With that, here are five teams that make sense as potential trade partners. 

GM Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen earned a one-year reprieve from Colts owner Jim Irsay. However, Steichen fired defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, replacing him with former Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. Which means Steichen and Ballard could be next on the chopping block.

The Colts are in win-now mode. And while young quarterback Anthony Richardson has had his moments, he's been inconsistent at best on the field, posting an 8-7 record and 67.8 career passer rating with 11 career