Raiders absolved of wrongdoing in pursuit of Matthew Stafford

INDIANAPOLIS — The Raiders did not violate tampering rules when minority owner Tom Brady recently met with Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, the NFL said Thursday.

“There is no issue here,” a league spokesperson told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “The Rams gave the player and his agent permission to speak to the Raiders.”

The Raiders have emerged as a front-runner among multiple teams to acquire Stafford in a trade with the Rams, who gave him permission to speak with other clubs to gauge his financial market outside of Los Angeles. No deal is imminent.

Brady has spearheaded the Raiders’ pursuit of Stafford. He’s tried to sell Stafford on the merits of joining him, new coach Pete Carroll and new general manager John Spytek in Las Vegas. Brady’s meeting with Stafford in Montana raised questions about whether tampering rules were violated because Stafford is still under contract with the Rams.

By clearing the Raiders of any wrongdoing, the NFL eliminated a potential bargaining chip for the Rams. They could have used the situation as leverage against the Raiders, saying they would only decline to pursue tampering charges if their trade demands were met.

Seeking $50 million deal

Stafford, 37, and the Rams are at an impasse on a new deal. He is under contract for two more years, but much of his compensation is not guaranteed. He is believed to be seeking a new deal that pays him $50 million per season with a substantial amount of guaranteed money.

A good comparison might be the four-year, $180 million contract Kirk Cousins signed with the Falcons last year, of which $100 million was guaranteed. Cousins was 35 at the time and had undergone surgery in November 2023 for a torn Achilles tendon.

Stafford is a superior player to Cousins and led the Rams to victory in Super Bowl 56, so his asking price is not out of line in today’s quarterback market.

Whether Stafford gets what he wants remains to be seen, but NFL sources indicate the Raiders and his camp have found common ground on what a potential new contract could look like.

It’s now about coming to terms with the Rams on a trade package.

What’s he worth?

The Rams’ starting point undoubtedly will be the Raiders’ first-round pick at sixth overall.

The Raiders will be hesitant to give it up. They view it as a key piece to building a strong team around Stafford. He has a limited window to play for the Raiders, and they want to maximize that as much as possible.

Carroll and Spytek have consistently mentioned the need to support their quarterback with a strong running game, so Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty could be an attractive option at No. 6.

The Raiders also could opt for Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan to beef up the passing game.

Either way, they want to keep the No. 6 pick at all costs.

The Rams could counter by asking for the Raiders’ second-round pick this year and their 2026 first-round pick. But is that too rich for Stafford? Could the Raiders talk the Rams down to second-round picks this year and in 2026?

That could depend on how involved other teams are in the pursuit. The Rams have received multiple offers for Stafford, according to league sources. The Giants have been aggressive suitors. The Titans, Browns and Steelers are also quarterback-needy teams that could be interested.

That all bodes well for the Rams, who seem resigned to trading Stafford at this point. A bidding war drives up the asking price.

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