SAN FRANCISCO — Matthew Stafford put off retirement for at least one more year. After being named NFL MVP for the first time in his 17-year career, the Los Angeles Rams quarterback used the NFL Honors stage to confirm he will return for the 2026 season, ending speculation that grew after the Rams’ run ended in the NFC Championship.
“See you next year,” Stafford said, accepting the award with his four daughters alongside him. He told reporters he and his family had discussed his future even before the season ended, and that finishing the year healthy as part of a strong team — with many teammates and coaches in the audience — made coming back feel right. Stafford called it a family decision and said having his daughters there reinforced his choice.
The 37-year-old completed a standout 2025 campaign, earning first-team All-Pro honors in addition to the MVP. He threw a career-high 46 touchdown passes, a franchise record for the Rams, and became just the fourth quarterback ever to post at least 45 touchdowns with fewer than 10 interceptions in a season.
Asked why retirement had crossed his mind despite playing at an elite level, Stafford explained the toll the game takes and stressed how important it is for him to be present for his young daughters. He said if his family hadn’t supported him continuing, he wouldn’t have made the decision to play on, no matter how well he performed.
Stafford also joined a select group of quarterbacks who have both an MVP and a Super Bowl appearance on their résumés — he’s the 15th to do so. Ten of the other 14 are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and a few others (including Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes) remain ineligible for induction only because they haven’t reached retirement eligibility yet and are widely expected to be first-ballot Hall of Famers. That puts Stafford in a strong position for Canton someday, though his Hall of Fame clock hasn’t started.
Fan take: Stafford returning keeps a top-tier, experienced quarterback in the league and preserves the Rams as a serious contender, which matters for competitive balance and marquee matchups. His choice also highlights how personal and family considerations increasingly shape retirement decisions among elite players, a trend that could influence future stars and contract/roster planning across the NFL.
