Raiders shift focus after bid for Super Bowl-winning QB ends

INDIANAPOLIS — The Raiders’ pursuit of Matthew Stafford ended Friday when the veteran quarterback agreed to a restructured contract to remain with the Rams.

The Rams had permitted Stafford to talk with other teams to gauge his financial market outside of Los Angeles. The Raiders were an aggressive pursuer, believing the 37-year-old who led the Rams to the 2022 Super Bowl title would help expedite their competitive timeline.

Their discussions with Stafford’s camp yielded an agreement on a deal that would pay him $90-plus million over two seasons.

But that was only half the battle. The Rams always held the ultimate card. Stafford was under contract for the next two years, so any pursuit included coming to terms with him on a contract and then agreeing on trade terms with the Rams.

As a result, the Rams could wait while other teams determined Stafford’s value and then make a decision on whether to keep or trade him.

NFL sources indicated the Rams were willing to trade Stafford if the return included a first-round pick, either this year or next.

“There was no way they would trade him for less than a one,” a league source said.

The Raiders will pick sixth overall in the draft, a selection that was off-limits for Stafford. They were not willing to trade the Rams their 2026 first-round pick, either.

With Stafford under center, the Rams won the NFC West title last season and were within a play or two of upsetting the Eagles, the eventual Super Bowl winner, in the playoffs. The Rams understood they had no viable option to replace him and quickly came to terms on a new deal during a meeting Friday in Los Angeles.

Terms were not disclosed. Stafford’s current deal had only $4 million in guarantees for the 2025 season and no guaranteed money in 2026.

What now for Raiders?

Friday was a gut punch to the Raiders, to be sure. Stafford represented a major upgrade for the short term. He would not have made them Super Bowl contenders, but depending on how they handled the rest of the roster, nine or 10 wins could have been in reach.

That would have been a huge achievement under coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek, both in their first year with the team.

Now, the Raiders shift their attention.

The free-agent market is expected to include Sam Darnold, who experienced a career revival last season with the Vikings. Other options are Aaron Rodgers, Justin Fields, Russell Wilson and perhaps Kirk Cousins.

None of them is at the Stafford level, though.

The draft will also provide options at quarterback, perhaps at No. 6, where there is hope that Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders is available.

Another option would be to trade for the first or second pick to make sure they get Sanders or Miami’s Cam Ward.

Industry sources indicated Friday that the Browns’ pick at No. 2 could be in play. That trade most likely would cost the Raiders their first-round picks this year and next year, or their first- and second-round picks this year and a second-round pick next year.

That’s a steep price. But the Raiders have shown a willingness to think big this offseason, pushed by the presence of new minority owner Tom Brady and the new ownership partners brought in by owner Mark Davis.

Sanders perfect for Vegas?

Sanders has a long relationship with Brady, and his charisma and playing style feel like an ideal fit in Las Vegas.

As someone with knowledge of the situation said Friday, that could figure into the Raiders’ thinking.

“It’s supposed to be a show in Las Vegas,” the person said. “And Sanders’ personality fits that.”

Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X.