Kelly Stafford Reacts to Matthew’s Rams Return After Criticizing Team

After plenty of speculation, Matthew Stafford is returning as quarterback of the Los Angeles Rams — which might lead to some awkwardness for his wife, Kelly Stafford. 

Matthew, 37, agreed to a restructured contract with the Rams on Friday, February 28, which came after the quarterback had taken meetings with the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants about their signal-calling positions. According to Sports Illustrated‘s Albert Breer, the new deal will provide Matthew with a “significant raise” from the $27 million he was scheduled to make next season.

Kelly celebrated the news via Instagram on Sunday, March 2, sharing a photo of Matthew in Rams gear with his tongue hanging out. “No place like home. @rams 💛💙,” Kelly captioned the post.

The news came weeks after Kelly aired her grievances with the Rams organization on her “The Morning After” podcast, in response to a report that the team was intent on trading wide receiver Cooper Kupp. 

“I honestly wasn’t planning on discussing this, but hell, why not?” Kelly said on the February 6 episode. “My husband wants to win. He’s not trying to put a team in a bad situation. If you’re catching my drift, you’re catching my drift.”

Kelly continued, “The trading away of Cooper, I guess I’m confused. Because we were one play away from going to the NFC Championship. And I think if we go, we win.”

The Rams lost 28-22 to the Philadelphia Eagles, the eventual Super Bowl champions, in the NFC Divisional Round on January 19. 

“I have to be the dog in this situation,” Kelly added. “I want the respect for him that he deserves. Yes, I love the city of L.A. I love the city of L.A. With that being said, I love an adventure.” 

The Rams have still not been able to find a team willing to trade for Kupp, 31, who was drafted by Los Angeles in 2017.

After it became clear that there was no path forward for the wide receiver in L.A., Kupp’s wife, Anna Marie — who has become close with Kelly since Matthew was traded to the Rams in 2021 — wrote a love letter to the city. 

“Los Angeles. 💙💛,” Anna Marie wrote via Instagram on February 3. “Married to the love of my life at 21, young and with our whole lives in front of us, we could only dream of where this NFL ride would take us. New adventure on the horizon, so many unknowns. Excitement and anxiety tethered together.”

She added, “I truly am so humbled to have been able to spend the last 9 years in this beautiful place we made our home. Anxious and excited to see where the next chapter will be played out. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all who have made it so unbearably hard to say goodbye. I love you LA. ❤️‍🩹.”