McVay on Rams' near-win vs Eagles, Stafford’s new contract.
Sean McVay doesn’t sugarcoat things. The Los Angeles Rams head coach made it clear he wasn’t over the way his team went out of the playoffs. The Philadelphia Eagles may have steamrolled the Washington Commanders and Kansas City Chiefs with a combined 95-45 score, but they didn’t get an easy ride past the Rams.
“We all felt like we were winning that game, 29-28,” McVay told Pat McAfee on The Pat McAfee Show. *“Ultimately, they got it done and they looked pretty damn good in the NFC Championship and the Super Bowl, and that really chapped my **, too.”
Los Angeles had Philadelphia on the ropes. Matthew Stafford led a fourth-quarter charge, cutting the Eagles’ lead to 28-22 and pushing the Rams to the 13-yard line with 1:19 left. One more play could’ve changed everything. Then Jalen Carter happened. The Philadelphia defensive tackle sacked Stafford on third down, forcing an incomplete pass that sealed the Rams’ fate. The Eagles escaped, but the Rams sent a message—this team isn’t done yet.
The Los Angeles Rams wasted no time making sure Matthew Stafford stayed put. On Friday, the team and the veteran quarterback finalized a new contract, shutting down any speculation about his future. Former teammate Dan Orlovsky wasn’t surprised.
“I don’t believe there was real doubt. I believe there was real frustration. I believe there was real, ‘What the heck are we doing?’ type of stuff,” Orlovsky said on Get Up. “But this was, at the end of the day, a no-brainer for both parties.”
Stafford is still signed through 2026, but the restructured deal gives him a well-earned raise. The Rams haven’t revealed how much, but McVay made it clear—Stafford wasn’t going to play under his previous number. “There was always an understanding that he wouldn’t play under the number that he was due this coming year,” McVay admitted. The Rams coach also said he never allowed himself to think about a future without Stafford.
With this move, Los Angeles keeps its core intact. Stafford threw for 3,762 yards last season, with 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions, completing 65.8% of his passes. His presence alone keeps the Rams in the Super Bowl conversation.
Stafford’s return is just one piece of the puzzle. The Los Angeles Rams are locking in key players to stay competitive, starting with left tackle Alaric Jackson, who signed a three-year, $57 million deal to avoid free agency.
The Rams are also eyeing Jimmy Garoppolo as Stafford’s backup. McVay confirmed they want him back but acknowledged that Garoppolo might get better offers elsewhere.
Then there’s Cooper Kupp. The Super Bowl 56 MVP’s future with the Rams looks shaky. Despite spending his entire eight-year career in Los Angeles, Kupp recently confirmed the team is shopping him instead of keeping his massive salary on the books. McVay didn’t shut the door on keeping him, but he didn’t sound optimistic either.
“No matter what, his legacy is cemented as an all-time Ram,” McVay said. “Most importantly, I’m a better human for having had his eight years with him.”
Translation? The Rams are moving on unless something drastic changes. They’re playing it smart—keeping their Super Bowl-winning QB, reinforcing their offensive line, and managing their salary cap. The NFC is wide open, and the Rams are making sure they stay in the fight.
Image: Imagn Images
NFL 
