Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay pushed back when reporters raised the possibility that Sunday’s NFC Championship loss to the Seattle Seahawks could mark the end of Matthew Stafford’s career. McVay sounded taken aback when asked if he expected Stafford to be back in 2026, replying that it depended on whether Stafford still wanted to play and bristling at the premise of the question.
When a reporter asked again whether Stafford wanted to return, McVay softened and deferred to the quarterback, praising Stafford’s season and saying he’d performed on another level. Stafford himself declined to offer clarity immediately after the game, telling reporters it was too soon to sum up half a year of his life just minutes after a loss and thanking his teammates and staff.
NFL Media later reported that Stafford, who turns 38 in early February, has told people close to him he intends to play in 2026 and believes he still has plenty left in the tank. His future has been uncertain in recent years: last offseason he entertained interest from other clubs, including conversations with the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders, before ultimately re-signing with the Rams.
With one year remaining on his current deal, Stafford is likely to be in the market for a new contract, and his 2025 performance gives him leverage. He led the league with 4,707 passing yards and 47 touchdowns, earned first-team All-Pro honors and was a leading MVP candidate when regular-season voting concluded. Even in Sunday’s defeat he put up strong numbers, finishing with 374 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
Fan Take: Stafford’s next move matters because it will shape the Rams’ immediate outlook and could shift the balance among top-paid quarterbacks across the league. If he truly returns and maintains this level, it reinforces the idea that veteran QBs can still dominate and influence how teams approach contracts and roster-building moving forward.
