Stafford's New Backup?: Expert Predicts Rams to Sign Saints' Jameis Winston

The Los Angeles Rams could find themselves in the market for a backup quarterback this offseason as Carson Wentz's contract expires.

The Los Angeles Rams have learned firsthand how detrimental not having the right backup quarterback could be to a season. A year following an injury-riddled season that saw the Rams go 5-12 in a year where starting quarterback Matthew Stafford played in just nine games, their situation behind the 35-year-old still seems unsettled. 

Rookie fourth-round pick Stetson Bennett hasn't been with the team since the conclusion of the preseason, as he remains on the non-football injury/illness list, while former No. 1 overall pick Carson Wentz currently serves as Stafford's deputy.

However, with Wentz's contract expiring at the end of the season, the Rams could find themselves back in the market for a backup quarterback again this offseason. This has led to Spotrac's Michael Ginnitti predicting L.A. to make a potentially surprise signing.

"The Rams convert $29M of Stafford's 2024 salary into a signing bonus, freeing up $23M of cap space," Sportrac writes. "L.A. signs Jameis Winston to a 1-year, $4M contract to back him up."

Dec 17, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (2) gestures before the game against the New York Giants at Caesars Superdome.  / Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

As things currently stand, according to OverTheCap, the Rams are projected to have a little over $43 million in cap space to spend this offseason thanks to general manager Les Snead's roster "remodeling" plan. However, that number doesn't include the possibility of the Rams creating more space by pulling some financial levers. 

One of those potential levers is restructuring Stafford's four-year contract worth $160 million that he signed following the Rams Super Bowl win. Add in the $23 million that Spotrac predicts to be freed up by the restructuring, and the Rams would have $66 million to spend. 

That would certainly be enough to sign Winston, the former first-round pick out of Florida State, who has spent the last four seasons as the backup quarterback for the New Orleans Saints. 

Playing behind Derek Carr, Winston has seen action in just six games this season, where he has completed just 53.2 percent of his passes for 264 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. 

Giants Coach Says Stafford Playing At 'Hall of Fame Level'

Not only would Winston provide the Rams with a veteran backup to Stafford, but he could potentially be groomed to take over as the full-time starter following the 35-year-old.

Meanwhile, the Rams will be in action next on Sunday when they travel to MetLife Stadium to face the New York Giants. Kickoff is scheduled for 10 a.m. P.T.