NFL: Matthew Stafford seals four-year extension with Rams

(FILES) In this file photo taken on February 13, 2022 Los Angeles Rams’ quarterback Matthew Stafford drinks water as he walks off the field after the LA Rams won Super Bowl LVI between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP)

The Los Angeles Rams have locked in Matthew Stafford after agreeing on a four-year contract extension with the Super Bowl-winning quarterback, the team confirmed on Saturday.

Stafford, who guided the Rams to the Vince Lombardi Trophy in his first season with the club after joining from the Detroit Lions last year, will remain with the team through the 2026 season.

The contract extension was confirmed by the Rams on the team’s website.

Super Bowl LVI champion Matthew Stafford is here to stay.

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 19, 2022

No figures were mentioned, but US reports said Stafford’s new deal was worth $160 million including $135 million in guaranteed pay.

Stafford was entering the final year of his previous five-year $135 million deal and could have commanded a mega-deal if he had gone to the open market.

However the 34-year-old had always been expected to remain in Los Angeles, where he has forged a tight bond with head coach Sean McVay as the fulcrum of a dynamic offense.

Stafford, the No. 1 pick in the 2009 draft, threw for 4,886 passing yards last season with 41 touchdowns in 17 games.

Only Tampa Bay’s Tom Brady (5,316 yards) and the Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert (5,014) threw for greater yardage.

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