Report: Rams to pick up QB Matthew Stafford’s 2023 option

The Los Angeles Rams are expected to pick up the 2023 option bonus and 2024 salary for Matthew Stafford in March, giving the quarterback $62 million in guaranteed cash, ESPN reported Saturday.

The move would come by March 19, the day the guarantees kick in. Before the 2022 season, the Rams signed him to a four-year, $160 million contract extension through 2026.

Acquired by the Rams from the Detroit Lions before the 2021 season, Stafford led Los Angeles to its first-ever Super Bowl victory. But 2022 was another story.

Stafford, who will turn 35 next month, is coming off his 14th NFL season, which ended prematurely with a season-ending injury.

Stafford was diagnosed with a spinal cord contusion in addition to a concussion, but it isn’t expected to be a long-term problem. He missed the final seven games of the season for the Rams, who finished 5-12 amid injures to the team’s biggest stars — Stafford, wide receiver Cooper Kupp and defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

Stafford sustained a neck injury in Week 11 against the New Orleans Saints after clearing protocol from a previous concussion.

He passed for 2,087 yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2022. He has thrown for 52,082 yards and 333 touchdowns in 191 games in his 14-year career with the Detroit Lions (2009-20) and Rams.