NFL Clears Raiders of Tampering in Stafford Pursuit

INDIANAPOLIS — The NFL announced Thursday that the Las Vegas Raiders did not violate tampering rules in their pursuit of quarterback Matthew Stafford from the Los Angeles Rams. A league spokesperson stated, “There is no issue here. The Rams gave the player and his agent permission to speak to the Raiders.”

The Raiders have emerged as a leading candidate among multiple teams vying to acquire Stafford, who received clearance from the Rams to explore financial prospects outside of Los Angeles. Currently, no deal is in the works.

Tom Brady, minority owner of the Raiders, has taken the lead in recruiting Stafford, emphasizing the benefits of joining the Raiders alongside new head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek. However, a recent meeting between Brady and Stafford in Montana raised eyebrows about potential tampering, given Stafford’s existing contract with the Rams.

By affirming the Raiders’ compliance, the NFL may have hampered the Rams’ leverage in negotiations, as they could have used the tampering allegations to negotiate more favorable trade terms.

Stafford, 37, is currently under contract for two more years, but most of his salary is not guaranteed, prompting him to seek a new deal of approximately $50 million per season along with significant guarantees. He is considered a superior quarterback compared to Kirk Cousins, who signed a four-year contract worth $180 million with the Atlanta Falcons last year, of which $100 million was guaranteed. Given that Stafford led the Rams to victory in Super Bowl 56, his asking price aligns with the current quarterback market.

Sources suggest that the Raiders and Stafford’s representatives have found preliminary agreement on a potential contract, but finalizing a trade with the Rams remains the key hurdle. The Rams are expected to ask for at least the Raiders’ sixth overall pick in this year’s draft, a request the Raiders may resist as they view this pick as essential for building a competitive roster around Stafford.

To address their offensive needs, the Raiders may select a running back like Ashton Jeanty from Boise State or a wide receiver like Tetairoa McMillan from Arizona with the sixth pick. However, the Rams might counter with requests for additional picks, including a second-round pick this year and a first-round pick for 2026.

With multiple teams interested in Stafford—most notably the New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers—the Rams could find themselves in a bidding war that could escalate Stafford’s value.

Although Carroll and Spytek declined to comment on Stafford’s situation during the NFL scouting combine, the urgency to acquire a franchise quarterback resonates within the organization. “If there’s an opportunity for any player that we think can add value to the Raiders, we’ll look into it,” Spytek said, emphasizing the importance of expanding their options.

In addition to Stafford, the Raiders may explore other quarterback avenues as they continue their search for an upgrade. Possible alternatives include players potentially released by other teams or available in the upcoming draft, as the Raiders aim for a solid foundation around whichever player they eventually secure at the position.

“Any avenue where we can find a quarterback we’re going to explore,” Spytek stated, while Carroll emphasized the need to build a comprehensive team around the quarterback, akin to their previous success in Seattle with Russell Wilson.

Contact Vincent Bonsignore for further updates on this developing story.