Sean McVay Drops Bombshell: Aaron Rodgers Nearly Joined Rams—What Stopped the Deal?

When it comes to NFL quarterback drama, the recent offseason has been nothing short of a high-stakes chess game. Pittsburgh Steelers fans might be surprised to know that Matthew Stafford topped their wish list, surpassing even Aaron Rodgers — and the Los Angeles Rams harbored similar thoughts. Ultimately, Stafford stayed put in LA, leaving the Steelers to pivot toward Rodgers, while the Rams’ coach Sean McVay recently shed some light on how close the Rams actually came to chasing Rodgers themselves — had things gone differently. It’s a tale of strategic moves, tough conversations, and a deep respect for two of the game’s brightest minds — all swirling behind scenes that few get to glimpse. That dynamic dance shaped not only team rosters but also some unexpected fan excitement across cities. The layers here? Deep and fascinating. If you’re curious about the full scoop, and why this quarterback saga matters beyond the headlines, you won’t want to miss a beat. LEARN MORE

The Steelers reportedly wanted Matthew Stafford over Aaron Rodgers. So, too, did the Rams.“But our first priority was always to be able to get Matthew back and what I do feel really fortunate about is I think we’re closer than ever. I think sometimes when you’re able to have real conversations, I think you can appreciate the love that’s been built up but also the ability to be honest with one another. I’m really glad that worked out. I know there’s a lot of people in Pittsburgh that are really excited that’s come to fruition, and I’m a big fan of his.”“Our first priority, which was consistently communicated, was, ‘Hey, let’s work out something with Matthew,’ and we were very fortunate that it worked out that way,” McVay told Kyle Brandt of NFL Media. “If that wasn’t able to occur, then that was definitely conversations and a possibility for us. I have a ton of respect for the body of work, and I’ve gotten to know Aaron and enjoy the conversations and just the approach — the way that he thinks about the game and in life. That was a possibility. Coach Sean McVay, though, confirmed a report from earlier this offseason that the Rams would have gone after Rodgers had they traded Stafford. (The Rams gave Stafford permission to talk to other teams about a trade before agreeing to a revised contract that will keep him the starter in Los Angeles this season.)The Rams ended up keeping Stafford, and when the Steelers didn’t get Stafford or Justin Fields, they signed Rodgers. The Rams also had interest in Rodgers in 2021, but the Packers weren’t interested in trading him. Instead, the Rams traded Jared Goff and three draft picks to the Lions for Stafford, and they ended up winning Super Bowl LVI.