Fantasy Football Outlook After Matthew Stafford Signs Extension With the Los Angeles Rams
Adam Pfeifer breaks down the fantasy football implications after Matthew Stafford signed an extension with the Los Angeles Rams.
The Los Angeles Rams and veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford agreed to a one-year, $55 million extension worth up to $60 million with incentives. This gives Stafford two years and over $100 million remaining on his current deal.
It’s a good thing the Rams drafted Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick of this past April’s draft …
While it wasn’t a guarantee that this would have been Stafford’s final season, this does put even more of a delay on Simpson’s potential debut for dynasty teams. As for Stafford, while some natural regression is to be expected, he’ll likely flirt with the league lead in many passing metrics again.
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2026 Fantasy Football Outlook After Matthew Stafford Signs Extension With The LA Rams
Drafted outside the top-15 quarterbacks, the 38-year-old Stafford not only finished as fantasy’s QB4 on a PPG basis (21.1), but also took home the NFL MVP award. Among quarterbacks with at least 100 attempts, Stafford ranked:
- 1st in TD passes (46)
- 1st in yards (4,707)
- 5th in dropbacks (624)
- 2nd in air yards per attempt (9.3)
- 1st in TD/ATT (7.7%)
- 2nd in end-zone throws (54)
Entering the 2026 campaign, regression is likely to hit Stafford, but to what degree is the question. His 7.7% TD rate was easily the highest of his career (6.8% was his previous high), and over 2% higher than his 5.6% as a member of the Rams. The Rams did a great job of deploying 13 personnel at the goal line to get opposing defenses in heavier, run-stopping looks, only to throw quick slants or fades to Davante Adams, who led the NFL with 14 TD grabs. Stafford had 7 goal-line passes from 13 personnel last year, scoring 6 touchdowns. And overall, his 13 goal-line pass attempts tied with Drake Maye for the league lead. Both Stafford and Adams are likely to see their touchdown numbers come down.
When that regression does come, Stafford can’t make up for it with a rushing floor like many other quarterbacks. Since 2021, Stafford is averaging 1.69 rush attempts and 2.1 rushing yards per game, while scoring just 1 rushing touchdown during that stretch. Of course, Stafford is still playing at an elite level, and has a terrific supporting cast to help him continue to post terrific numbers. He checks in as the QB15 in the Fantasy Life consensus quarterback rankings.
Dynasty Fantasy Football Outlook
This is where it gets a little more interesting.
Any dynasty team with Stafford on its roster has known for a while that he won’t be part of their quarterback room for too much longer. But this extension does provide a bit of a sense of security for the next two seasons, at least. Even approaching age 40, Stafford should be able to post top-15 quarterback numbers over the next two years.
It’ll be interesting to see if this news bumps his price up in potential trades. Like many aging quarterbacks, even in superflex leagues, Stafford could be had for much cheaper than younger players, though his case is a bit unique because, well, not many 38-year-olds have played at his level. Contending teams that are in need of quarterback help should look to add Stafford to their roster.
And if there are somehow any Stafford teams preparing for a rebuild, now is the time to move on and get started.
Simpson, meanwhile, remains a hold, which is essentially what he was the day he was drafted. At this point, let’s just hope Sean McVay is still coaching the Rams by the time Simpson takes meaningful snaps.
Keep that bench warm, rookie.
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