NFL Trade Rumors: Should Rams Trade for Matthew Stafford Heir?

Carolina Panthers backup QB Matt Corral could be a smart trade target for the Los Angeles Rams

When healthy, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is still one of the top players at his position in the NFL. In 2021, he proved just that, leading the Rams to a Super Bowl title, in what were some of the more clutch performances from a QB in recent memory. 

However, in 2022, Stafford's age began to show, with the 35-year-old playing just eight games after suffering multiple injuries, including a spinal contusion that ended his season. 

By all accounts, Stafford is back to full health, and ready to once again carry the Rams on his back in their attempts to get back to the playoffs in 2023. 

With that said, it is never too early to look toward the future, and finding an heir apparent to Stafford could be a smart move for the Rams front office going forward. They already took one potential step in that direction, picking up Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett in the NFL Draft last month.

But this week, Bleacher Report suggested another interesting move for the Rams at the position - trading for Carolina Panthers quarterback Matt Corral in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round pick.

"Corral could find a better opportunity with the Los Angeles Rams, who lost Matthew Stafford to a neck injury and concussion last season," Bleacher Report writes. "The 35-year-old will be under contract for at least two more years, as his 2024 salary became fully guaranteed on March 17, but L.A. needs a succession plan. In Los Angeles, Corral could at least compete with rookie fourth-round pick Stetson Bennett to be that quarterback of the future. It's a chance he won't get in Carolina for as long as Young remains healthy.

Corral has yet to catch on at the NFL level, but during his time at Ole Miss under Lane Kiffin, Corral showed his potential to be special, with 493 of 712 passes for 6,686 yards and 49 touchdowns, with 19 interceptions over 23 games in his final two seasons in Oxford. He also had a 159.2 career quarterback rating and rushed 264 times for 1,120 yards and 15 touchdowns in his final two years as well. 

Would Corral come in and immediately assume the backup up and heir-apparent role with Los Angeles? Likely not. At least if Bennett has anything to say about it. 

However, Corral would at the very least compete with Bennett for that role, pushing both players to be better, and hopefully, allowing one of them to shine through. 

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You can follow Matt Galatzan on Twitter @MattGalatzan

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