Unless the Pittsburgh Steelers decide to re-sign either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields before the NFL's new league year begins, speculation regarding the organization is going to run rampant. The most important position in football is quarterback, and the franchise in the Steel City has yet to have stability in the area since the retirement of the great Ben Roethlisberger. Rumors are swirling about what could happen if the decision is made to trade for a potential starting signal-caller or sign an external option. Overall, no one is quite sure which direction General Manager Omar Khan and Head Coach Mike Tomlin plan to go.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan (left) and Head Coach Mike Tomlin (right) sit in the franchise's draft room as they anxiously watch the board in 2023.
Many have thrown out veteran names that will be free to sign wherever they choose such as Aaron Rodgers and Sam Darnold, but there are also some potential trade targets that could be made available. The biggest name that has been in the news cycle recently is Matthew Stafford. To the surprise of no one, the Steelers have been linked to the Super Bowl champion more than once.
The price for Stafford may be steep, but that doesn't mean that Khan won't make a call or, at the very least, discuss contract possibilities with Stafford's agents, something that the Los Angeles Rams have given him permission to do. Scott Kaplan, who works for ESPN out West, told The PM Team w/Poni & Mueller on Monday evening that Stafford's situation is starting to cause some issues inside the Rams' building.
"There's like this weird irritation within the Rams organization about Matthew Stafford," Kaplan said.
Kaplan continued by telling a wild story that he heard happen back in 2024. He did note that he can't confirm what he heard from inside the building, but he believes that there is a good amount of internal conflict regarding the quarterback's family, specifically his wife, Kelly Stafford.
"Somebody inside the Rams organization told me that a year ago, when Stafford was debating, arguing, negotiating, however you want to phrase it, that he wanted guaranteed money, his wife called the owner of the team," Kaplan said. "Guys, not confirmed, I can't tell you 100%. I'm just telling you that's something someone who works inside the organization told me, that his wife called the owner about guaranteed money."
Distractions for locker rooms are never a good thing, and it can be even worse if something outside is causing a problem. It can't be confirmed that Stafford's wife is a reason why the Rams are starting to think about moving on, but regardless, it seems as if Los Angeles is closer than most may think to dealing the veteran before the 2025 season kicks off.
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Steelers star pass rusher TJ Watt chases down Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford during an away game at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, CA.
Kaplan continued with his analysis and believes that it is very possible that the Rams don't want to go through the same song and dance once again with Stafford. This could trigger a trade sooner rather than later.
"I just sense from the Rams that they're kind of tired of going through this dance and exercise every year with him."
Quarterbacks are expensive, but that doesn't mean that the Rams are going to be okay with moving on from Stafford. He brought a Super Bowl to the city; however, a combination of more guaranteed money and some distraction that comes along with him might be enough to let him go play elsewhere. The Steelers are one of the more logical landing spots, given the fact that the defense is in win-now mode, and the offense needs a formidable signal-caller.
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Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford walks off the field with his wife Kelly Stafford after a big time win.
Steelers Can't Afford To Lose Significant Draft Capital In Any Quarterback Trade
It has been hinted that the Rams may be looking for a first-round pick for the 37-year-old in Stafford. That kind of price to pay for an aging quarterback on top of his expected contract would be a huge mistake. Khan has worked out deals that favor Pittsburgh before and if the team does pass on re-signing Wilson and Fields to pursue Stafford, it sure as heck better make sense schematically and financially for the Steelers.
Do you think the Steelers should try and land Stafford via trade? Let us know in the comments below!
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