**INDIANAPOLIS** — Matthew Stafford’s representatives maintained contact with the New York Giants at the NFL Combine on Thursday, but the Las Vegas Raiders are emerging as a strong contender to land the veteran quarterback in a potential trade with the Los Angeles Rams.
According to the *Las Vegas Review-Journal*, the Raiders and Stafford, 37, have already discussed the framework of a potential new contract if a trade is finalized. The NFL also clarified that Raiders minority owner Tom Brady did not violate tampering rules by having lunch with Stafford in Montana, as the Rams had granted Stafford and his agent permission to speak with other teams.
While neither the Giants nor the Raiders have promising outlooks for their 2026 seasons, the Raiders are positioning themselves as an attractive destination for Stafford. They can offer a fresh start under new head coach Pete Carroll, the convenience of a short flight from Stafford’s current home in Los Angeles, and approximately $96 million in salary cap space (per *overthecap.com*) to build around him. However, the Raiders’ offensive line ranked 26th in Pro Football Focus’ end-of-season rankings, even lower than the Giants’ 23rd-ranked unit.
For Stafford to choose the Giants, who have $48 million in cap space, he would need confidence that general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll can assemble a competitive offensive line and supporting cast. This is a tall order, especially with the Giants’ current regime under pressure to deliver results.
Returning to the Rams on a reworked contract remains a viable option for Stafford, as it would likely give him the best chance to compete for a championship in both 2025 and 2026. His strong rapport with Rams head coach Sean McVay, with whom he won a Super Bowl, could also play a significant role in his decision. Meanwhile, the Raiders’ offensive coordinator, Chip Kelly, brings credibility after winning a national championship with Ohio State.
The Giants’ offensive playcalling situation adds another layer of uncertainty. Co-owner John Mara suggested at the end of the season that Daboll should relinquish playcalling duties, potentially handing them back to Mike Kafka. However, as of now, no decision has been made, leaving open the possibility that Daboll could retain the role.
A potential trade for Stafford could mirror the 2023 deal that sent Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers to the New York Jets. In that trade, the teams swapped first-round picks, and the Jets included additional draft compensation. A similar deal would allow the Giants or Raiders to retain their high first-round picks (third and sixth overall, respectively) to address other needs rather than drafting a quarterback.
Losing Stafford to the Raiders would be a significant blow to the Giants’ offseason plans. Once Stafford’s situation is resolved, the focus will shift to other quarterbacks like the Vikings’ Sam Darnold, whose decision could trigger a domino effect across the league.
If the Giants miss out on Stafford, they may pivot to drafting a quarterback, potentially trading up to secure a top prospect like Miami’s Cam Ward or Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. General manager Joe Schoen has made it clear that the Giants are aggressively pursuing quarterback upgrades, but failing to land Stafford would be a tough start to a critical offseason.
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