Sean McVay, the head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, made a strong statement in response to questions about Matthew Stafford’s potential retirement following the team’s loss in the NFC Championship Game. The Rams’ season came to an end with a 31-27 defeat against the Seattle Seahawks, marking a heartbreaking conclusion to what had been a promising campaign.

In the aftermath of the game, reporters were quick to ask whether Stafford would consider retiring after the season. This question came on the heels of a significant decision by the 37-year-old quarterback, who had taken time to determine whether he would even play in 2025. When asked if he knew whether Stafford would continue playing after the loss, McVay responded with a sharp tone.

“Just sad” – Charles Barkley’s heartbreaking response to Minnesota shooting

“Stefon Diggs slammed for disrespectful conduct during national anthem”

McVay was uncharacteristically direct when pressed on the matter. “If he still wants to play? What the hell kind of question is that? The answer, yeah,” the 40-year-old coach said. He emphasized that despite his age, there was no indication that Stafford would be retiring after the 2024 season. In fact, McVay doubled down on his belief that Stafford was the NFL’s MVP, regardless of how the Rams’ season ended.

“You have to ask him. We’ve been totally present. I know that if he wants to, he’s still playing at a pretty damn good clip,” McVay added.

Stafford’s performance this season has been nothing short of remarkable. In his 17th year in the league, he threw for 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns, leading the NFL in both passing yards and touchdowns while only throwing eight interceptions. His efforts helped the Rams secure a 12-5 record, making it one of the most successful seasons of his career.

Against the Seahawks, Stafford once again proved that he still had plenty of gas left in the tank. He completed 22 of 35 passes for 374 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 16 yards on two carries, including a key first-down conversion in the second half. Despite his efforts, the Rams fell short, allowing the Seahawks to advance to the Super Bowl and face Drake Maye and the New England Patriots.

However, it seems that Stafford is eager to return to Los Angeles next season. Earlier in the year, he had serious doubts about continuing his career due to back injuries. NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported that, given his strong 2025 season, Stafford believed he could still play at a high level, even as he turned 38.

“Stafford has told people close to him that he still has some good football left, telling them no matter what, he wants to be back next year,” Rapoport stated.

With his recent performance and clear desire to continue playing, it appears that Stafford will likely be back in 2025. Whether he can lead the Rams to another deep playoff run remains to be seen, but for now, the quarterback is focused on proving that he still belongs in the league. As McVay noted, if Stafford wants to play, he’s still doing it at a high level.