Matthew Stafford Possible Trade Destinations: Raiders, Seahawks, Steelers, Browns and More

Matthew Stafford's name is coming up in trade rumors enough that it's starting to create real smoke; you know what they say about smoke and fire. Reports are saying that at least four teams have shown interest in trading for Stafford: the Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, and Pittsburgh Steelers.

A Stafford trade would be huge news both for the Rams and the acquiring team. After winning a playoff game and taking the Eagles to the final minute in a second-round loss, it would make sense for the Rams to run it back with some tweaks and potential upgrades.

Money plays a huge factor, though, as Stafford has a $50 million cap hit in 2025. The team would likely restructure his contract to bring that down if they don't trade him, but it's telling that they are potentially ready to move on from the guy who took them to a Super Bowl a few years back.

Does it make sense for each of the four teams mentioned in the rumors? Who else could be in the mix? How much will it cost for a team to pry Stafford away? Let's answer some of the questions surrounding the availability of the LA quarterback.

Cleveland Browns

Cleveland makes sense from the standpoint of needing a quarterback. Deshaun Watson could miss all of 2025, and he has been terrible when on the field for Cleveland anyway. They already need to clear out some cap space, so a trade would probably come with a new contract for Stafford to shrink his cap hit for this season.

The Browns wouldn't send the second overall pick, so the highest pick the Rams would get back is something in the mid-30s. They could easily build a package around the 33rd pick, maybe with another Day 2 pick next year and a little more involved going one way or the other.

Cleveland had a talented roster last season, but injuries and poor quarterback play tore them apart, leaving them with one of the worst records in the league. Stafford would fix one of those issues, and the Browns could then focus on building up the offensive line and maybe making a splash acquisition at receiver.

Las Vegas Raiders

Vegas needs a quarterback as bad as any other team in the league, maybe other than the Giants (we'll get to them). Gardner Minshew II and Aidan O'Connell are in place, but they are far from even being average.

There is a lot of speculation that they might draft a quarterback sixth overall or even trade up. That would be a logical path forward. There are a lot of analysts who don't see either of the top quarterbacks as top-10 prospects, though, so adding a veteran would allow the Raiders to draft for value while adding a QB they know is ready to play.

Like the Browns, they likely wouldn't be trading that top pick, and negotiations would start around their early second rounder. Another option could include a first-round pick swap: Los Angeles picks at No. 26, so they could move up 20 spots while Vegas moves down the board and picks up the veteran QB.

According to the Jimmy Johnson draft value chart, there is a difference 900 points of draft value between the sixth and 26th picks. If that was the whole trade, Stafford would be valued as equal to the 18th pick. There might have to be a little more thrown in to balance the scales, but there's a feasible trade that could be built around that pick swap.

From an on-field standpoint, this move could create a high-level offense. We know what Stafford is: a very capable veteran who can play like a star at his best. The Raiders have a strong group of pass catchers, with Jakobi Meyers on the outside and standout tight end Brock Bowers fresh off setting records; the bones of a good passing attack are there.

It's unlikely that this trade would push the Raiders to the playoffs, but it also wouldn't be the craziest jump that we've ever seen given the presence of new coach Pete Carroll.

New York Giants

New York picking a quarterback third overall might be the surest thing in the draft. It's unlikely that Miami's Cam Ward and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders go first and second unless at least one trade happens, and that means one of the passers would be left for the Giants or they might even have their pick of the two.

A trade for Stafford would follow the same outline of basing it around their second-round pick and more; a pick swap is probably too far when going from No. 3 to No. 26. The Giants also might feel pressure to win right away because their coach and GM are seemingly on the hot seat, and that could lead to a preference to trade for the veteran Stafford rather than rely on a rookie.

Malik Nabers showed that he's a star in the making during his rookie season, setting rookie pass-catching records of his own until Bowers broke them later in Week 18. There are some talented pieces on the Giants, including a second-year running back (Tyrone Tracy Jr) and tight end (Theo Johnson).

If the Giants keep the third pick, they could add a premier talent to the defense either at pass rusher or cornerback, allowing them make big upgrades at multiple premium positions. The best thing for their long-term plan is probably to just draft a QB third overall and keep the picks, but the allure of adding a Super Bowl winner might be too enticing to pass up.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Now this is interesting. This is the one team among the four that could truly take a step as a contender by adding Stafford. They have a good defense and invested heavily in the offensive line last year in the draft. Pittsburgh could use another receiver and a new running back, but they have a supporting cast that could help Stafford make a deep playoff run.

The Steelers pick 21st, so maybe they'd think about trading their first rounder in pursuit of their quarterback. There would be more involved, probably with a mid-round pick heading back to Pittsburgh or even a swap, but the Rams would have to be happy with acquiring the 21st pick.

Of the four teams mentioned as having interest, the Steelers make the most sense. They could reasonably compete for their division and a championship if everything came together, and that would make it worth giving up a first-round pick.

Other Possibilities

Tennessee Titans, No. 1 Pick

This would be the same idea as the Browns and Giants, as Tennessee would use other assets to acquire Stafford and keep the top overall pick. They could trade back to recoup the value lost by trading for the veteran quarterback; this would be a reasonable path.

The more likely outcome is that the Titans hold tight at quarterback, though, and either pick the top player in the draft (I like pass rusher Abdul Carter) or trade back. They need a lot of pieces and trying to make a big jump probably has more of a chance of tanking their rebuilding efforts rather than being a quick fix.

New York Jets, No. 7 Pick

New Orleans Saints, No. 9 Pick

These are two teams that would be best served to break it down, but both might still fancy themselves a playoff threat. The Jets built an old roster around Aaron Rodgers, and things failed miserably. Stafford is a better player right now, and they could look to load up and make another run rather than tearing down.

New Orleans has needed to tank for the last five years, but they keep going for it. It would probably be way too hard to make the money work, but let's not put anything past them given what we've seen over the last decade or so.

Seattle Seahawks, No. 18 Pick

This is highly unlikely since the teams are division rivals, but we've seen it before. Donovan McNabb was traded from the Eagles to the Redskins, and Drew Bledsoe was sent to the Bills once Tom Brady took over the New England job.

Geno Smith has been good while starting for the Seahawks. He's been very good. Stafford has a higher ceiling, though, and a team with a strong roster is surely interested in improving at the most important position. Seattle probably isn't looking to move on from Smith, but they would have to at least consider the opportunity.

Conclusion

The most likely scenario is probably Stafford returning to the Rams with a re-worked contract for cap purposes. The Rams made noise in the playoffs, so trying to improve rather than shedding talent is probably a smart play (though some players will inevitably be lost).

If he is traded, I like the idea of either the Steelers making the big push or even the Seahawks overpaying for their division rival. Seattle might have to give up this year's first and a conditional 2026 first rounder, but they have a roster that can win, and a quarterback upgrade might be their quickest way to relevance.