Matthew Stafford

Matthew Stafford claimed MVP honors tonight, becoming the first quarterback on a team that did not win its division to snare the award since Peyton Manning in 2008. Stafford also used his podium time to confirm he will return for an 18th season.

The Rams quarterback is under contract for one more season. Recent renegotiations have taken place, and it could be expected at least one more round of talks will commence between Stafford and the Rams soon. Barring more trade talks, Stafford is assured to head back to Los Angeles for a sixth season.

[RELATED: Rams Extend Sean McVay, Les Snead]

Edging Drake Maye by one first-place vote in the MVP balloting, Stafford finished his 17th season with an NFL-leading 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdown throws. He enjoyed the benefit of targeting Puka Nacua and Davante Adams in a Sean McVay-piloted offense. While Adams was not yet committed to the Rams during Stafford’s trade-rumor stretch, it was always odd the star QB was that open to leaving the Rams given the infrastructure he has in L.A.

The Giants and Raiders engaged in aggressive trade pursuits, with the Steelers among the other teams in the derby. The Giants and Raiders had contracts worked out with the disgruntled passer, but cooler heads prevailed and Stafford remained a Ram on a reworked deal.

Stafford agreed to a two-year, $80MM pact that included a $40MM guarantee for 2025. Under the terms of his original four-year, $160MM agreement, no guaranteed money was in place that far into the deal. But Stafford, who missed much of the 2022 season due to injury, has sustained high-quality play into his late 30s. That has prompted the Rams to rework his deal twice since authorizing it in spring 2022.

The Rams have stacked six void years onto this contract, which expires in March 2027. Stafford retiring this year would have brought $48MM in dead money for the Rams. Los Angeles’ latest rework will reward Stafford with $40MM guaranteed on Day 5 of the 2026 league year. That represents a player-friendly structure, but the team could lower his $48.27MM cap hit with another extension — one that would seemingly be completed before that mid-March vesting date. Though, it will be difficult for the Rams to commit future guarantees to their QB standout due to his year-to-year approach at this point in his career.

Stafford’s MVP award may well be what pushes his Hall of Fame candidacy over the goal line one day. The former Lions starter amazingly had only one original-ballot Pro Bowl nod — a requirement for Hall of Fame entry — through 16 seasons. He has since upped that count to three, delivering some of his best work from 2024-25. The Rams won two playoff games this season, including an overtime thriller in frigid Chicago, and pushed the Seahawks to the brink in an NFC championship game shootout. After that game, McVay took exception to a question about Stafford’s return; the coach indicated he would obviously take Stafford back.

L.A. has two first-round picks this year, thanks to a trade-down move that gave Atlanta James Pearce Jr. in the 2025 first round. The team has tabled a move for a Stafford heir apparent for a bit. But the 2026 quarterback class is not particularly appealing. The lot of potential first-rounders disappointed or returned to school, pointing to the 2027 draft as a much better class beyond this Fernando Mendoza-centered crop. The Rams did not see Stetson Bennett take off, and they have used Jimmy Garoppolo as their backup over the past two seasons. Garoppolo is once again a free agent.

For a stretch in training camp, it looked like the Rams would need Garoppolo for regular-season duty. A back injury kept Stafford off the practice field for weeks. This reminded of his elbow malady during the 2022 offseason. But the former No. 1 overall pick was ready by Week 1 and did not miss a start.

The Rams will hope for a smooth offseason with their signal-caller this year. If/once Stafford begins a sixth season as the Rams’ starting QB, it will mark the first time a Rams passer has started in Week 1 in six straight seasons since Marc Bulger (2004-09).

The Rams came up short in the NFC title game on Sunday. That marked the end of quarterback Matthew Stafford‘s 17th season in the NFL.

Over much of his Rams tenure, Stafford has faced questions about the possibility of retirement. His future remained uncertain for a long period of the 2025 offseason before a new Los Angeles agreement was ultimately worked out. For now, Stafford does not have a firm timeline on deciding whether he wishes to continue his career or not.

“It’ll be a lot that goes into it,” the Super Bowl winner said during an appearance on the Let’s Go! podcast. “It’s a physical, a mental and emotional decision, a personal and a family decision as well… So when I’m ready to figure that out, I’ll be ready to figure that out. That moment isn’t right now. I have so much more time, I feel like, to reflect on just the people and the season that we just had.”

Amidst a new round of uncertainty regarding his status, Stafford loomed as a trade candidate last year. The Rams allowed his camp to seek out a deal and an accompanying extension; the Raiders and Giants emerged as serious contenders. Part of their selling point was an extension worth more than what Los Angeles was prepared to pay. In the end, though, Stafford elected once again to remain in place with the Rams on a new deal.

That 2025 agreement included a raise as well as – crucially – $40MM in 2026 compensation which is set to vest on the fifth day of the new league year. By mid-March, the Rams will therefore need to know Stafford’s intentions. When speaking after Sunday’s loss, head coach Sean McVay confirmed (video link via ESPN’s Kimberley Martin) the team will welcome him back for next season if that proves to be an option.

Stafford will turn 38 at the end of next week. A lingering back issue was a major talking point through training camp, with the Rams appearing to be uncertain about his ability to remain healthy all season. In fact, Stafford was available throughout the campaign and enjoyed an incredibly productive year. The former No. 1 pick led the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns, earning first-team All-Pro honors and his third career Pro Bowl nod along the way.

Expectations would be high for Stafford and the Rams once again in 2026 if their partnership were to extend into a sixth season. At this point, though, it is unknown if the team will have stability under center or if Los Angeles will be forced into finding a new QB1 this spring.

August 21: McVay confirmed on Thursday (via Barshop) that Stafford was a full participant all week without restrictions. Stafford himself said that he’s taking a “day-to-day approach” to his back injury, which he characterized as “something that crept up on me a little bit.” The veteran quarterback will not travel with the Rams to Cleveland for their preseason finale on Saturday.

August 18: Following his second individual throwing session, Matthew Stafford has managed to suit up for practice. The Rams’ starting quarterback participated in his first training camp workout on Monday.

Last week had been targeted as return date in Stafford’s case. Exercising an abundance of caution, the Rams instead elected to keep him on the sidelines. The 37-year-old was a participant today as planned, though, with ESPN’s Sarah Barshop noting he took part in team drills.

“It was good to be able to have Matthew out there. He did a good job today,” head coach Sean McVay said when speaking to the media after practice (video link). “I think there was a lot of intended information, but there’s no updates. We’re going to keep it a day, and really, a week at a time. But it’s great to be able to see him out there today, and we’ll see how this afternoon goes and tomorrow.”

McVay noted there is no firm timeline in place with respect to how the rest of the week will play out regarding Stafford’s practice participation. He also cautioned (via Gary Klein of the L.A. Times) that today’s encouraging development does not ensure at this point Stafford will be available for Week 1. The Rams have maintained his fifth Los Angles season is expected to begin on time, but a lingering back issue has proven to be troublesome over the course of the summer.

Team and player agreed to another restructured contract this offseason, with the Rams guaranteeing money into 2026. As a result, Stafford’s health for the immediate future but also beyond the coming campaign is key. A separate practice schedule was designed for the former Lion given his injury, but sparse participation over the coming weeks would not amount to much in the way of first-team reps leading up to Week 1.

Veteran Jimmy Garoppolo and former fourth-rounder Stetson Bennett round out the Rams’ QB depth chart. Their practice workloads will be altered if Stafford does indeed return to action on a regular basis, but it remains to be seen if that will be the case. Nonetheless, today’s news marks an encouraging sign for all involved.

AUGUST 16: The Rams declined to comment on Stafford’s status when asked if he took part in today’s planned workout (h/t Barshop). McVay is scheduled to speak to the media on Monday, at which point more details will emerge regarding Stafford’s latest efforts to get on the field.

AUGUST 15: Last Saturday, Matthew Stafford took part in a throwing session. The success of that workout initially put him on track take part in Rams training camp practices for the first time this offseason. Instead, he has yet to participate while dealing with a back issue.

Another workout will take place tomorrow, ESPN’s Sarah Barshop notes. Stafford was held out of practice Monday due to an abundance of caution, and head coach Sean McVay said at the time no thought has been given to surgery. Full participation in the regular season has long been named as the target in this case, but it remains to be seen if or when Stafford will see the field in a practice setting.

McVay responded with “a little bit of both” when asked if the issue relates to functionality or pain management. He added, “we’re trying to get our hands around this as well, so I don’t really have much more information other than [I] think we’re trying some different things that are hopefully going to be in alignment with getting him back out on the field.”

Barshop’s colleague Jeremy Fowler reports the Rams continue to expect Stafford to be available for Week 1. Still, the decisively uncertain tone of McVay’s latest comments on the matter will no doubt be at least some cause for concern. This offseason saw the latest arrangement made between team and player in Stafford’s case, and the Super Bowl winner is owed guaranteed money into 2026. His health for the next two seasons (at a minimum) thus represents a central priority.

At the age of 37, chronic ailments will increasingly become something to monitor regarding Stafford. He is no stranger to playing through pain dating back to his Lions tenure, though, so it would come as no surprise if a full 17-game slate were to still be on tap. It will be interesting to see how tomorrow’s session goes and how the team aims to proceed in its aftermath.

Coming off a run to the divisional round of the postseason, the Rams will rely heavily on Stafford once again in 2025. Backup Jimmy Garoppolo and third-stringer Stetson Bennett have been in place to handle all quarterback reps so far in camp, but that could change in the near future.

10:00pm: When speaking to the media after practice, McVay said (via Barshop) Stafford’s non-participation in today’s practice came about through an abundance of caution after his back “didn’t feel good enough.” When asked if surgery has received consideration, McVay added no discussions on that front have taken place. This situation remains one to watch over the coming days.

12:48pm: Monday was targeted as the day for Matthew Stafford to return to practice with the Rams. That will not be the case, however.

Stafford is not in uniform for today’s practice, as noted by ESPN’s Sarah Barshop. She adds the 37-year-old is instead in a mobile Ammortal chamber, which helps with “restoration and rejuvenation” regarding injuries and pain management. A lingering back issue has increasingly become a storyline for team and player this summer, and today’s development will do nothing to quell further doubts about Stafford’s Week 1 availability.

The Rams have consistently remained confident the issue will not extend into September, and a Saturday throwing session took place without any setbacks. That appeared to set Stafford up for practice in individual drills today, with work off to the side potentially taking place during the following days as joint practices with the Chargers unfolded. Injuries to the Bolts led to those joint practices being canceled, something which could pave the way for an increased participation rate over the coming days in Stafford’s case.

At this point, however, it remains unclear when the Super Bowl winner will suit up. Stafford’s camp explored a trade this offseason before the latest restructure to his contract was worked out. The 2025 arrangement resulted in another short-term raise but also money being guaranteed for next season. As a result, a clean bill of health is crucial for the Rams’ outlook beyond the coming campaign.

Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett are set to continue taking reps in practice at the quarterback spot. Team and player will of course hope Stafford joins that group in the near future as evaluations of his back continue. After receiving treatment today, it will be interesting to see what his outlook becomes moving forward. Head coach Sean McVay has said Stafford would be available to play if it were currently the regular season, but this issue is clearly a point of concern as the countdown to Week 1 continues.

Back soreness resulted in Matthew Stafford being limited to start training camp. Instead of returning to practice this coming week, the Super Bowl winner will be sidelined.

Rams head coach Sean McVay said on Saturday (via ESPN’s Sarah Barshop) that Stafford is still expected to be at full strength in time for Week 1. For now, though, the 37-year-old is considered week-to-week.

“I don’t think we can be smart enough with somebody like Matthew [Stafford] and I think it’s best for him, best for our football team, and that’s kind of the plan that we’ll have moving forward,” McVay said of the team’s amended practice schedule which will be implemented this summer.

McVay also noted (via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network) that Stafford is on board with the plan to manage his workload during camp. The team will also employ a “modified schedule” for practice with other veterans on the offensive side of the ball. Longevity through the campaign is the target as Los Angeles aims for another postseason run in 2025.

Keeping Stafford in particular healthy will of course be critical to the team’s success. He was able to handle a full campaign last year, only sitting out the regular season finale with the Rams having already clinched the NFC West title. A sustained run of availability will also be key given the commitments which are in place beyond the 2025 campaign.

The Rams allowed Stafford to survey his trade market this offseason before ultimately working out another restructured pact. The two-time Pro Bowler is scheduled to collect $84MM over the next two years, with $56MM of that figure – including $16MM in 2026 – fully guaranteed. No long-term successor is in place, so Stafford’s healthy and level of play will remain central in determining the team’s fate for at least another two years.

In the meantime, veteran backup Jimmy Garoppolo and 2023 fourth-rounder Stetson Bennett will handle practice reps at the quarterback spot. Stafford will see time as camp progresses, but his ability to avoid any setbacks will be a storyline to monitor leading up to the regular season.