Matthew Stafford isn't leaving the Rams after all, which means the 49ers aren't going to see an old friend twice a year.
The Los Angeles Rams seemed oh-so close to sending veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford elsewhere this offseason.
Amid his own contract talks, rumors surfaced suggesting he'd be jettisoned to a quarterback-needy team such as the New York Giants, which would unquestionably alter the balance of power within the NFC West.
That impacts the San Francisco 49ers, of course.
On Friday, however, multiple outlets reported Stafford had reached an agreement with L.A. to stay put, including a quoted social media post from the franchise by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero that all but confirms it:
Matthew Stafford staying in L.A. https://t.co/qhsGnsuxRQ
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 28, 2025
Stafford isn't going anywhere.
That said, the trickle-down effects will impact the Niners, too, especially one "would have been fun" scenario that likely won't take place now.
Darn.
49ers won't get to face Jimmy Garoppolo 2 times in 2025
There was a world where Stafford would be traded, leaving Los Angeles to scramble for a replacement option, one San Francisco fans know all too well.
Jimmy Garoppolo.
Of course, Jimmy G backed up Stafford with the Rams last year and faced the 49ers twice, albeit watching from the sidelines. So, the Niners didn't exactly get to square off against their former franchise quarterback from late 2017 through 2022.
A free agent to be this offseason, additional Stafford-related rumors suggested head coach Sean McVay would be open to L.A. re-signing Garoppolo and installing him as a starter, should Stafford depart.
Naturally, that would have been proverbial music to San Francisco's ears, especially knowing Jimmy G's tendencies and habits.
Alas, though, it won't happen. The 49ers are poised to square off against Stafford twice more in 2025, while Garoppolo's future is uncertain, at best.
What could have been, though?