NFL lands double punishment for Rams amid uncertain Matthew Stafford situation

The NFL has fined two Los Angeles Rams stars following the team's Divisional Round playoff defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles, with head coach Sean McVay also facing losing Matthew Stafford .

The Rams could not reach the NFC Championship game after falling 28-22.

Stafford had the opportunity to snatch the game on the final drive late in the fourth quarter, and at one point, it looked like the 36-year-old would be successful.

However, the Eagles' defense turned up the intensity and stopped Stafford and Co.

from icing the game and setting up a date with the Washington Commanders, a game they resoundingly won on Sunday to reach the Super Bowl.

After the match between the Rams and Eagles, the NFL fined two Los Angeles stars, cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon and linebacker Michael Hoecht.

Witherspoon was fined $6,722 by the Rams for unnecessary roughness following a powerful hit on DeVonta Smith during the first half.

The Rams star used his shoulder to knock the ball free to prevent a 40-yard gain.

Meanwhile, Hoecht was hit with a $11,255 fine for a late hit and unnecessary roughness.

Hoecht was fined for hitting Jalen Hurts out of bounds in the first half.

The Rams stars' fines won't come out of their regular paycheck.

During the NFL playoffs, players get compensation from the league, and throwing the book at Witherspoon and Hoecht is a stark reminder of the discipline expected when playing football.

Elsewhere, the Rams may have to prepare for the 2025 season without franchise quarterback Stafford, who is weighing up retirement.

Stafford will use the offseason to weigh up his future, but the one-time Super Bowl winner has already hinted that he still feels like he can play at a high level.

"I feel like I was playing some pretty good ball," Stafford told reporters.

"Sure feels like it," he added when asked if he has football left in him.

His wife, Kelly, whom he married in 2015 and shares four daughters, also appeared to give Stafford the green light to continue playing.

"Aren't enough words to express how proud I am.

I joke about us being old and tired but honestly, I could never get tired of watching you out there or watching our girls cheer for their daddy.

I'm wondering if this is the end or not...

guess we will find out," she wrote.

HC McVay has also decided to avoid the topic of Stafford's future.

"I'm not really interested in talking about anything as it relates to next year," McVay said.

"Right now, I'm just appreciative of this team.".

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