What happened: Los Angeles Rams enter Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders at 2-4 with wild-card hopes slipping. A Matthew Stafford move turns on destination approval and prorated coverage of his $16 million base salary, about $11 million remaining. Los Angeles already holds 2026 No. 13 pick Ty Simpson as the succession option if the slide reaches 2-5 or 2-6.

Why it matters: Shedding Stafford would clear 2027 money ahead of a heavy 2027 free-agent class. Los Angeles lacks a 2027 first-round pick tied to Myles Garrett, raising pressure to recoup a first-rounder. Minnesota at 5-0 with Justin Jefferson and Kyler Murray, the Giants with Malik Nabers, plus Philadelphia, Atlanta, Denver and Cleveland define the market range.

What to watch: Sunday against Las Vegas decides whether 2-5 forces Los Angeles to seek first-round offers. Minnesota's stance on Murray and the Giants' evaluation set the early market.