With NFL free agency looming, one team that made the playoffs last year is stuck waiting on their starting quarterback to make a decision about his future. But that choice may be revealed soon.

The Los Angeles Rams are essentially in a holding pattern as they await a choice from quarterback Matthew Stafford.

The 37-year-old quarterback is owed a combined $49million over the next two seasons – including $23million due next year.

According to multiple reports, Stafford and the Rams are set to meet on Friday to discuss his future as many other NFL teams have reportedly discussed new contracts with him.

A return to Los Angeles is still on the table, however it’s not clear if the Rams would expect Stafford to re-structure his contract if he stays with them.

The Rams will meet with quarterback Matthew Stafford to try and understand his future plans

Rumors have suggested that he is interested in staying to be coached by Sean McVay

But the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants are reportedly offering him up to $100million

Per Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Las Vegas Raiders and the New York Giants have ‘already discussed’ separately offering the Super Bowl LVI winner a two-year contract with a guaranteed salary in the range of $90-100million.

Those rumors come off the back of Stafford’s supposed ‘coincidental meeting’ with Raiders part-owner Tom Brady at a ski resort in Montana.

Brady is hoping to find someone to take over for the Raiders next season after their failed experiment with Gardner Minshew.

The Giants, on the other hand, could go the draft route if they’re unable to pick up Stafford. 

Another team that has been rumored to be interested in Stafford’s services is the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have a murky future at the position.

While no indication about a decision has been made by either Stafford, the Rams, or head coach Sean McVay, rumors have emerged about his ‘prefered’ choice.

It was reported last week by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer that people close to the quarterback ‘think that he ultimately wants to remain in Los Angeles and play for Sean McVay.’

Breer added, ‘We’ll see if the Rams can work out the contract part of this, which will determine what’s next.’

Stafford reportedly met with Raiders part-owner Tom Brady at a ski resort in Montana 

If Stafford stays with the Rams, he’ll be without his top target: wide receiver Cooper Kupp

The contract issue is that if the opt-out goes through, they’ll have $49million in dead cap space that will hurt their ability to potentially grab free agents.

But Stafford’s salary has taken a jump recently and the Rams may need to re-negotiate his deal in order to adjust.

After earning a base salary of just $1.5m in the first year of a four-year extension he signed back in 2022, Stafford’s salary shot up to $23.5m last year.

He’s set to earn $23m in 2025 and $26m in 2026, after which he’d be a free agent at age 39.

Stafford is set to lose his top target after the Rams put wide receiver Cooper Kupp on the trading block in a shock decision.

The move came as a surprise to many – including Stafford’s wife, Kelly, who blasted the decision on a podcast episode.

‘My husband wants to win. He’s not trying to put a team in a bad situation,’ Kelly said on her ‘The Morning After’ podcast. ‘I will say the trading away of Cooper, I’m confused… because we were one play away from going to the NFC Championship, and I think if we go, win win.’

According to Fox Sports host Colin Cowherd, Rams officials have grown ‘tired’ of Stafford’s wife speaking out in the media, meaning they are ready to let him go.

News of Kupp being on the trade block shocked Stafford’s wife, Kelly, who criticized the team

‘The Rams like Matt Stafford but they’re tiring of the constant quarterback talk, his wife saying things publicly,’ Cowherd said on his ‘The Herd’ show. ‘They’re not real happy with Cooper Kupp going public with something they tried to keep quiet [looking to trade him].

‘They’re kind of over Cooper Kupp and with that a little bit Matt Stafford. They like him, but they don’t want to restructure his deal and give him a big contract.’

Last season, Stafford was 13th in the league in passing yards and tossed 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions. The Rams made the playoffs and lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional round.