A Season of Excellence and a Question of the Future

Matthew Stafford had an incredible season with the Los Angeles Rams, despite their loss in the NFC title game on Sunday. He played what many consider to be his best football ever, achieving career highs in touchdown passes (46), passing success rate (54.4 percent), and passer rating (109.2). Additionally, he recorded his second-lowest interception percentage (1.3 percent). These impressive numbers make him a strong candidate for the 2025 NFL MVP award.

Stafford has now completed 17 seasons in the NFL, having thrown nearly 8,800 passes and taking 525 sacks. Before this season, he was reportedly dealing with serious back injuries, and he also has four daughters at home. By the time Super Bowl 60 is played in two weeks, he will be 38 years old. Only three quarterbacks have won a Super Bowl at age 38 or older: John Elway, Peyton Manning (who was already past his prime at the time), and Tom Brady. This historical context raises questions about whether Stafford will continue playing professional football in 2026.

While it’s likely that Stafford will return to the Rams next season, there are still uncertainties surrounding his future. Sean McVay, the Rams’ head coach, strongly disagrees with the idea that Stafford might retire soon. When a reporter asked about Stafford’s mindset regarding his future after the Rams’ tough loss in Seattle, McVay became visibly frustrated and dismissed the question. In fact, he cut short his press conference before even recalling a specific play from the NFC title game.

McVay’s reaction may be influenced by the emotional impact of losing a chance to win the Super Bowl against a rival team. The pressure to secure a third NFC title for the Rams has clearly taken a toll on him. He might also already know that Stafford is expected to return, which makes the suggestion of a potential retirement seem absurd to him.

However, asking whether a quarterback like Stafford, who has endured significant injuries and is approaching 40, might retire is a legitimate question. Especially considering that he could add an MVP trophy to his Super Bowl 56 championship ring, which would imply he has nothing left to prove. This makes McVay’s strong reaction all the more intriguing.

It’s possible that there is more to Stafford’s future than what is currently known. Whether he will continue playing or not remains unclear, and only time will provide true clarity. For now, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the offseason approaches.