Rams' $48 million decision could decide entire 2026 fate

Adam Schultz

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Rams' $48 million decision could decide entire 2026 fate image

The Los Angeles Rams' season is over after narrowly losing to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship game.

Matthew Stafford and Co. Did their best to keep pace, and that failed fourth-down call at the Seahawks' six-yard line will haunt the entire organization. Had that been converted, the Rams would have gone up 34-31 late in the fourth quarter.

But now, attention turns to the offseason, and who will be sticking around in 2026, and who won't.

The big question mark is on MVP favorite Matthew Stafford.

And for CBS Sports' Zachary Pereles, Stafford's decision could have far-reaching ramifications on the franchise's trajectory.

"There's no doubt he can still play," Pereles wrote. "The question is whether he will. Stafford has mulled his future before, including last year, when he returned to the Rams only after getting a revised contract. He was mum on his future Sunday after the game.

"If Stafford does not return, the Rams' outlook is completely different, one that's hard to even fathom at this moment. If he does return, it's "Super Bowl or bust" once again."

More: Rams' Davante Adams owner of horrible stat after Seahawks loss

Could Stafford really walk away?

At 37 years old, soon to be 38, absolutely.

Per Over The Cap, Stafford counts $48 million against the cap in 2026. Stafford is also due $16 million in base salary, along with a $22 million prorated signing bonus. But the big thing is he doesn't hasn't have any guaranteed money owing in 2026.

The reality is there are two options.

Stafford retires and walks off into the sunset. Or he returns.

The Rams aren't trading him, and they aren't cutting him with a pre-June 1 cut that would cost the Rams $41 million in dead money; post-June 1, that drops to $27 million.

So, while there are a host of key decisions the Rams have to make this offseason, Stafford's looming future could make or break Los Angeles' 2026 season before it even begins.

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