As the Pittsburgh Steelers weigh their options at quarterback — namely, whether or not they should re-sign Russell Wilson or Justin Fields in NFL free agency while also considering alternative candidates that may become available — one potential trade route could be off the board.

Per ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano on February 8, “[Los Angeles] Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is likely to return to L.A. in 2025, according to sources close to the situation.”

“The past two seasons have been good for Stafford, who turned 37 on Friday and believes the Rams’ leadership gives them ability to contend every year,” Graziano explained. Adding: “Something will have to be done with Stafford’s contract, though, as was the case last offseason when the Rams slid $5 million of his 2025 money into 2024 and guaranteed him $40 million. Of that $40 million in guarantees, $4 million comes in the form of a 2025 roster bonus due next month. The rest of his 2025 compensation is a non-guaranteed $23 million.”

Graziano went on to note that he expects the Rams to “convert salary into bonuses again to lower [Stafford’s cap] hit.”

Graziano’s ESPN colleague Jeremy Fowler then seconded this report, relaying that “people I’ve talked to with the Rams don’t sound overly concerned about Stafford leaving, despite the tricky contract situation.”

“By all accounts, Stafford was happy with the direction of the offense this season, and multiple people with the team say it doesn’t seem as if changes are coming,” Fowler continued later. Acknowledging that “other teams will inevitably call the Rams to gauge trade interest anyway.”

The Steelers were expected to be among those teams. Per USA Today’s Steelers Wire and Bovada on February 8, “the Rams are the current favorites to keep Stafford with -190 odds, while the Las Vegas Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers are tied at +400 odds.”