BREAKING: Matthew Stafford get shocking Rams reprieve after salary-cap surge
More money in the bank could mean a bigger payday for this player.
As you try to navigate the Los Angeles Rams’ approach to the 2025 offseason, you’re already overwhelmed by the flood of NFL rumors before even settling into a new season. Whether it’s speculation about trading WR Cooper Kupp or the reported contract standoff with veteran QB Matthew Stafford, fans are exhausted by the noise before any real news even drops.
And that’s not a great sign for a team that came so close to an NFL Super Bowl victory.
Winning consistently in the NFL is never easy. While skill plays a role, the unpredictable human element is just as critical. Teams can analyze data endlessly, but success ultimately depends on intangible factors like determination, player development, and durability.
In two words? Pure luck.
I won’t dive into a discussion about how randomness governs everything from free agency to the NFL Draft, much like your grandmother’s weekly BINGO game. Instead, this article will focus on something more promising. The Rams may have stumbled upon a fortunate break—one that could bring them back to the negotiating table for a deal that benefits both sides.
NFL team salary cap ceiling just went through the roof
When forecasting future NFL salary cap space, team cap experts, or “capologists,” must navigate not only player contracts and rookie salary demands but also the uncertainty of the league’s evolving salary ceiling. Since it’s safer to estimate conservatively and adjust upward later, early projections are often unreliable.
However, with today’s update from ESPN’s NFL Insider Dan Graziano, teams and cap experts now have a clearer picture of where the 2025 NFL salary cap will land. This is particularly beneficial for the Rams, who already have much of that increase accounted for—whether through upcoming contract extensions or new deals aimed at retaining key players in 2025, including QB Matthew Stafford.
Overthecap.com provides a well-organized breakdown of all 32 teams’ projected salary caps for 2025. What makes their presentation valuable is that it doesn’t just list dollar figures; it also includes the number of players under contract factored into those projections, giving a more complete view of each team’s financial outlook.
For example, the Chicago Bears are projected to have over $60 million in cap space but currently have only 48 players under contract. Meanwhile, the Rams are projected to have $41 million in cap space with 55 players already signed.
The NFL today informed teams that the 2025 per-team salary cap will fall in the range of $277.5 million to $281.5 million, way up from last year's $255.4 million. Cap will have increased by more than $53 million over the last two years.
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) February 19, 2025
Why does this matter?
During the offseason, as teams build their 90-man rosters, the NFL enforces a Top-51 player rule to calculate cap space. This means that for every new player the Rams add, their salary will replace one of the lower-ranked contracts already counted, ensuring a more strategic approach to roster management.
Related Rams offseason news:
If the Rams sign a player to a one-year, $5 million contract, their cap space doesn’t decrease by the full amount. Since their roster already exceeds 51 players, they must also factor in the lowest-paid player currently counted under the salary cap formula. If that player was set to earn $2 million in 2025, the net cap impact would be $3 million—subtracting the $2 million salary being replaced from the new $5 million deal.
For the Bears, however, the situation is different. With only 49 players under contract, there’s no immediate offset. Any new signing would fully count against their cap space until their roster reaches 51 players.
As it stands, the Rams’ projected $41 million in cap space ranks 14th among the 32 NFL teams. This projection is based on an estimated 2025 salary cap of $279.5 million. If the final cap figure ends up at the higher end of the NFL’s expected range, the Rams’ available space could increase even further.