‘Best Quarterback Shanahan’s Ever Had’ — Nick Wright Floats Matthew Stafford as Potential Target for 49ers To Maximize Super Bowl Window

Matthew Stafford has ruled out retirement and is ready to play next season. He still has two years left on his current contract with the Los Angeles Rams, but his future with the NFC West team remains uncertain.

The Rams could move on from Stafford and Cooper Kupp to start fresh with a new quarterback, and multiple teams will reportedly be interested in getting the veteran quarterback.

Nick Wright Names 49ers Among 2 Teams for Matthew Stafford

In a recent segment on FS1’s “First Things First,” Nick Wright talked about two teams that he believed would instantly become a perennial Super Bowl contender with Stafford. One of them is the San Francisco 49ers, who are expected to engage in negotiations for a contract extension with Brock Purdy.

“People will get mad at me, but everyone in their hearts will know I’m correct,” Wright said. “The first [of those teams] is the San Francisco 49ers. They would get better at a spot, they are in a win-now mode; they have already, you know, they’ve paid guys, and they have an old roster.”

“Trent Williams probably going into his last year,” Wright added. “We don’t know how much time Christian McCaffrey has left. It would be — obviously, Purdy is a longer-term bet, but I think right now, this moment, Matt Stafford would be the best quarterback Shanahan’s ever had and give you the best chance to finally get over the hump.”

What team would Matthew Stafford make an instant contender?@getnickwright says the 49ers and the Vikings ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/HOph85afPT

— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) January 30, 2025

Since 2019, the 49ers have lost two Super Bowls and two NFC Championship Games. They missed the playoffs this past season because Purdy and Shanahan were unable to overcome injuries to several key players.

Even if the 49ers decide to get Stafford to make the last push for the Super Bowl with their current core of players, it’s highly unlikely that the Rams will be open to trade the two-time Pro Bowler to a division rival.

However, things would be easier if Los Angeles decides to release Stafford. Although getting the veteran quarterback will significantly improve the 49ers’ chances of winning the Super Bowl, benching or moving on from Purdy would surprise everyone.

San Francisco is in a difficult spot as they have to make big decisions about the franchise’s future in the coming months. If they want to continue with Purdy, the team may have to offer him an extension of at least $40 million per year, which could be a risky investment. The quarterback hasn’t played well when he hasn’t had his entire supporting cast on the field.

Wright Picked Minnesota As the Second Landing Spot for Stafford

The Minnesota Vikings were the other team that Wright suggested as a landing spot for Stafford. He pointed out that it depends on the team’s priorities because if they want to look at the future, they’ll allow J.J. McCarthy to start next season.

The Vikings have a roster ready to compete for the Super Bowl, and they could have made a deep playoff run if their offensive line and Sam Darnold had played better. Moreover, there is no certainty whether McCarthy will be ready to play in Week 1 as he had two surgeries in his rookie season for his meniscus.

As a result, a move for a veteran quarterback will always remain open for Minnesota. Whether they’ll pursue Stafford remains to be seen, but the NFC North team has to get a quality backup quarterback if McCarthy is cleared to play.

Since the Rams do not have a young quarterback on their team, and the upcoming draft class is not stacked at the quarterback position, the chances of Stafford playing for them next season are still quite high.