Rams GM responds to Matthew Stafford trade rumors

If Matthew Stafford is on the trade block, you won’t hear Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead admit it.

Snead held a conference call with the media on Thursday, during which time he discussed — among other items — Stafford’s status with the team and the quarterback’s future in Los Angeles.

“I think we’ll definitely rely on Matthew, he’s definitely one of our pillars,” said Snead. “He’s definitely someone we’re going to rely on, (who) we’re gonna have to rely on as we do remodel this.”

Snead said the team would build around Stafford, Cooper Kupp and Aaron Donald. He omitted Jalen Ramsey when discussed the team’s pillars, which suggest the cornerback could be a trade candidate, something which has been widely speculated on around the NFL.

The rumors surrounding Stafford kicked into high gear earlier in the day after a reporter passed along that per sources, the Rams have been calling teams in an effort to potentially move the signal-caller. Stafford is still guaranteed $57 million on his contract and is recovering from a spinal cord injury that ended his season after nine games last year.

The 35-year-old Stafford has repeatedly indicated that he does not plan on retiring before the coming season.