Sean McVay Announces Big Aaron Rodgers Decision After Rams’ Matthew Stafford Rejected Mike Tomlin

L.A. opened spring amid whispers and what-ifs—Matthew Stafford‘s deal was about to expire, and the cloud of QB uncertainty hung over the facility. Sean McVay was tight-lipped but candid: the team had one priority, but if their franchise signal-caller walked, they wouldn’t be left holding anything. Trade chatter swirled, backup plans were discussed—especially if the sides couldn’t align—and the Rams braced for a quarterback carousel this summer.

Then the deal came together. Stafford put pen to paper on a restructured two-year pact, and suddenly the QB drama dissolved. McVay took a sigh of relief. But imagine if the deal hadn’t worked out. Well, the Rams then had a backup plan, and it included the very name that has been buzzing the whole offseason. Aaron Rodgers. And the Rams’ head coach straight-up acknowledged it.

Recently, McVay stopped by NFL Network’s Good Morning Football, where he revealed that Stafford was their top priority. But the Rams were in pursuit of the 41-year-old quarterback if they had failed to retain Stafford. “I think our first priority, which we consistently communicated, was let’s work something out with Matthew,” McVay explained when asked what went down between the Rams and Rodgers this offseason.

“And we were fortunate that it worked out that way. If that wasn’t able to occur, then that was definitely a conversation and a possibility for us. I have a ton of respect for the body of work, and I’ve gotten to know Aaron and really enjoy the conversations and just the approach, the way that he thinks about the game and in life.” Initially, the Rams permitted their quarterback to seek a trade back in February this year.

“That was a possibility.”

Sean McVay on Aaron Rodgers becoming an LA Ram @gmfb pic.twitter.com/YIpro7zlss

— Kyle Brandt (@KyleBrandt) June 11, 2025

During the NFL Scouting Combine, the noise grew louder, with the Raiders, Giants, and Steelers constantly knocking on the Rams’ door for their quarterback. However, the 37-year-old quarterback decided to stay with his team, where he spent four seasons and helped them win a Super Bowl in his very first season. On the flip side, Rodgers has been the hottest name in this year’s free agency.

After parting ways with his former team, the four-time MVP was looking for a new home. Rodgers flirted with several teams—such as the Giants and the Vikings, perhaps even the Rams—but eventually settled in Pittsburgh just a week ago. And now, McVay has made it clear that the Rams are happy with their decision to retain Stafford as they gear up for their 2025 campaign. “What I do feel really fortunate about is I think that we’re closer than ever,” the HC said.

“When you’re able to have real conversations, I think you can appreciate the love that’s been built up, but also the ability to be honest with one another.” Having said that, it’s safe to say that the 37-year-old Rams QB chose to stay with his team rather than play for the Steelers or any other franchise.

The Steelers showed interest, but Matthew Stafford didn’t reciprocate

It took Mike Tomlin and Co. almost three months, but they eventually signed a one-year deal with Aaron Rodgers. After parting ways with the Jets, the four-time MVP visited the Steelers’ facility in March, but there was no official confirmation on a potential deal, just rumors, debates, and verbal agreements—until now. Rodgers arrived in Pittsburgh on a $13.65 million deal, including $10 million guaranteed.

But things took an interesting turn when reports revealed that Rodgers was actually their third choice. According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, the Steelers wanted a trade for Matthew Stafford. During his appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Breer noted that the Steelers had checked on Stafford’s status earlier in the offseason.

“They [Steelers] did throw their hat in the ring for Matthew Stafford,” Breer explained. “They were like, you know, pretty much everybody else…that the Giants and Raiders were sort of in this category too, where it was like, ‘Do we really think that he’s going to leave Los Angeles? Do we really think that he’s going to leave Sean McVay? No.

“So you know, like they [Steelers] did check back. They did touch base with the Rams about potentially trading for Matthew Stafford, but they never really believed that was going to happen.” That said, it’s safe to say that Stafford never really looked like he was leaving, and of course, Sean McVay wasn’t about to give up on his valuable asset.

To make it interesting, we can just say that the Steelers, along with a bunch of teams interested in Stafford, kind of worked out the QBs’ favor. After all, Stafford restructured a two-year contract worth $84 million with the Rams (including $44 million guaranteed money in 2025).

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