Rams lock up Stafford with $160M extension
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford agreed to a four-year, $160 million contract extension that includes $135 million guaranteed and should allow the veteran quarterback to finish his career in Los Angeles.
Stafford is cashing in on his spectacular debut season with the Rams after 12 seasons with the Lions. He is headed into the final year of his previous five-year, $135 million deal he signed with the Lions.
His new deal also is clearly calculated to allow the Rams to retain more of their championship core while adding new pieces, since Stafford likely could have received more money at the top of the quarterback market.
Stafford never won a playoff game in 12 seasons with the Lions, but he realized the enormous potential of winning a Super Bowl immediately after joining coach Sean McVay and a talented offense.
Stafford set a franchise record with 4,886 yards passing in the 17-game regular season, and he tied Kurt Warner’s team mark with 41 touchdown passes while leading the Rams to the NFC West title.
In other team news, the Rams reportedly traded veteran wide receiver Robert Woods to the Titans for a 2023 sixth-round pick.
♦ The Packers are bringing back cornerback Rasul Douglas (three-year, $21 million deal that could get up to $25.5 million) and tight end Robert Tonyan (one-year deal).
♦ The Browns traded backup quarterback Case Keenum to the Bills for a seventhround draft pick this year and signed freeagent quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
♦ The Falcons agreed to terms on a twoyear, $10.5 million extension with former Bears all-purpose standout Cordarrelle Patterson.
♦ The Panthers are bringing back one of their starting cornerbacks, agreeing to a three-year deal with Donte Jackson.
Longtime Flyer Giroux dealt to Panthers
The Flyers traded Claude Giroux after he played his 1,000th career game with the franchise to the Panthers for forward Owen Tippett and draft picks.
The move strengthens Florida’s status as a Stanley Cup contender, giving Aleksander Barkov an elite linemate and one of the best faceoff aces in the NHL.
♦ The Bruins strengthened their blue line as they make a push for the playoffs, acquiring defensemen Hampus Lindholm and Kodie Curran from the Ducks for John Moore, Urho Vaakanainen and a package of draft picks. The Bruins will send a first-round pick this year and second-rounders in 2023 and ’24 to the Ducks.
Wolves rally past Marlies
Josh Leivo had a power-play goal with 7:13 left to give the Wolves their first lead in a 4-2 comeback victory over the host Toronto Marlies. The Wolves (36-10-5-5) erased a 2-0 deficit to push their point streak to 12 games and extend their Central Division lead to 15 points.
LeBron now No. 2 on NBA’s scoring list
Lakers star LeBron James passed Karl Malone for second place on the NBA’s career scoring list in a 127-119 loss to the host Wizards. James scored 38 points to reach a career 36,947 points.
♦ PGA Tour rookie Davis Riley shot a tournament-best 9-under 62 for a two-shot lead over Matthew NeSmith going into the final round of the Valspar Championship.