Matthew Stafford Rams Retirement Rumors Resurface: 'Guy Could Barely Throw!'

Matthew Stafford's own words apparently mean little to NFL insiders. Could the Los Angeles Rams quarterback still lean toward retirement?

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has previously made his retirement intentions clear.

"Are you retiring?" Stafford's wife asked him in December on her podcast.

"Oh no," he said.

But Stafford's own words apparently mean little to NFL insiders. Per NBC's Matthew Berry, calling it quits is "not out of the question" based on what he was told about Stafford at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this past week.

"Asking about Matthew Stafford, I was told, 'The guy could barely throw last year. Retirement is still not out of the question,'" Berry said.

Due to the combination of a concerning spinal cord contusion that essentially ended his season along with being in concussion protocol twice, the 34-year-old has had increasing reasons to call it quits, especially after securing his first Super Bowl ring last year.

Stafford led the Rams to three of their five wins this past season. In nine appearances, he went 206 for 303 passing for 2,087 yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also added his first rushing score since 2016.

When it comes to Stafford's potential retirement, spoken word from the man himself seems to mean little in a rumor-filled offseason. Rams fans likely won't feel comfortable until he takes LA's opening snaps in Week 1.

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You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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