Matthew Stafford’s wife, Kelly, posted a cryptic message about his playing future following the Los Angeles Rams’ Divisional Round defeat on Sunday.
The 36-year-old quarterback had a solid performance against the Philadelphia Eagles, but the league’s No. 1 defense did just enough to slow down the Matthew Stafford-led offense in the snowy conditions, winning 28-22 to set up an NFC Championship Game showdown with the Washington Commanders.
Stafford wouldn’t immediately discuss his playing future in his post-game press conference with reporters yesterday. The Super Bowl 56 champion turns 37 next month and has battled various injuries over the last three years.
One day after the Rams’ season ended with a heartbreaking defeat, Kelly Stafford took to Instagram and shared a heartwarming message for her husband. The post, however, doesn’t at all hint if the veteran QB will return in 2025:
“Aren’t enough words to express how proud I am. I joke about us being old and tired but honestly I could never get tired of watching you out there or watching our girls cheer for their daddy. I’m wondering if this is the end or not… guess we will find out.”
Last summer, Stafford and the Rams agreed to a restructured contract that saw him surrender most of his 2025 guarantees. The 2009 first-overall pick is under contract through the 2026 season.
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Matthew Stafford did not want to talk definitively about the his future after this season so quickly after the loss. I asked Stafford if he believes he still has some football left in him, and with a half-grin he said, “sure feels like it.”
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) January 19, 2025
The other quarterbacks on the Rams roster are veteran Jimmy Garoppolo and 2023 fourth-rounder Stetson Bennett, who has yet to play an NFL snap. If Stafford were to retire, the Rams would likely eye the draft, free agency or trade market for a replacement.
Matthew Stafford Can Still Play
Proving that he still has plenty of football left in him, Stafford completed 65.8 percent of pass attempts for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns and just eight interceptions in the regular season. And that was with his top two targets, Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, missing a combined 11 games.
The Rams largely leaned on their defense and Kyren Williams-led rushing game to lead the way this year. Stafford still made the big plays when he had to more often than not, and his return in 2025 would assure that the Rams remain in title contention.
