Sean McVay won't have nightmares about his starting quarterback situation for at least another year.
Speaking to reporters on Monday following last week's contractual agreement with Matthew Stafford, McVay said keeping the signal-caller in Los Angeles was always Option A.
"Obviously, that was always the end goal in mind," he said. "... I think ultimately it's about the partnership and how important it is to have him leading the way. Couldn't be more grateful, really excited about it, and (I've) been sleeping better these last couple days."
With a 16-month-old son and a roster that needs re-working over the next several months, that sleep won't be too sound -- as if it ever is for an NFL head coach.
On Friday, the Rams announced they'd agreed with Stafford on a restructured contract that will keep the Super Bowl-winning QB in L.A. for 2025.
McVay essentially admitted that the revised pact is a one-year solution and expects a similar situation to play out in 2026.
"We've taken it a year at a time, and he's earned the right, I believe, to be able to say he can play for a few more years if that's what he wanted," he said. "But we've always had great dialogue, and I really kinda think it's been a year-to-year thing. He's obviously under contract for two more years with us, but as long as he wants to play, I know we're feeling really good about that."
McVay noted he hopes the half-life of the Stafford negotiations will continue to dwindle next year.
"Oh yeah, but here's the positive: Last year, it took about seven months. This year, about three weeks. So maybe it'll be about two, three days next year if we have to do this," he quipped.
The Rams going year-to-year with a 37-year-old quarterback makes sense for the organization rather than sinking a ton of future money into a position that historically sees players fall off a cliff. Some can stiff-arm Father Time for a longer spell than in previous decades, but ultimately, the Timekeeper comes for us all.
Stafford could have pushed his way out of L.A. chasing more long-term money, with the Raiders and Giants pursuing after his camp was given permission to talk to other teams. The Rams, however, provide the best opportunity for him to chase another Lombardi. So long as Stafford remains an upper-echelon signal-caller, the Rams are in contention and offer somewhat comparable contract dollars, the sides could keep renewing their vows for another couple of offseasons.
The Rams also last week locked up vital left tackle Alaric Jackson to a contract extension -- which McVay called "a big, big deal for us." The coach added he expected OT Rob Havenstein and TE Tyler Higbee, both entering the final year of their deals, back in 2025.
One player who might not return this season is wideout Cooper Kupp. The Rams have been attempting to trade the star receiver and, with Kupp carrying a near $30 million cap number, they could release him if nothing materializes.
McVay wouldn't commit to any eventuality with Kupp.
"I think I would never speak in absolutes, but I do think let's gather all the information," he said on Monday. "We'll take it a day at a time. We'll kinda see what the next steps entail."
