Matthew Stafford: Everything you need to know

Stafford was named the 2025 Most Valuable Player on Thursday. As expected, Stafford's primary competition for the award was Drake Maye, with only one first-place vote separating the players. It was Stafford's first MVP award, which was well earned after he recorded a career-best 46 touchdowns while turning the ball over only 11 times across 17 regular-season games. While his future was uncertain after being eliminated in the NFC Championship Game by Seattle, Stafford indicated that he will return for the 2026 season during his acceptance speech, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Rams head coach Sean McVay said Monday that Stafford will take time this offseason to decide whether to return for the 2026 campaign, but that the team is "hopeful" the veteran quarterback will decide to play an 18th season in the NFL, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports. McVay and general manager Les Snead both signed contract extensions with Los Angeles on Monday, providing continuity for Stafford if he decides to return for the final year of his current deal with the team and play out the 2026 campaign. Top wideouts Puka Nacua and Davante Adams both also remain under contract for one more year. The 38-year-old signal-caller put together an MVP-caliber showing in 2025 despite nursing an aggravated disk in his back to enter the year, completing 388 of 597 pass attempts for 4,707 yards and a career-high 46 touchdowns, to go with just eight interceptions, while playing all 17 regular-season games. Per Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register, McVay confirmed Stafford will not need any offseason procedures to address that back issue. Given the success the Rams found in 2025, culminating in a narrow 31-27 loss to the Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game, it seems likely that Stafford will opt to run it back for at least one more season.

Stafford completed 22 of 35 pass attempts for 374 yards and three touchdowns while adding two carries for 16 yards in Sunday's 31-27 loss to the Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game. The veteran gunslinger walked into a harsh road environment against the league's stingiest defense in 2025 (17.2 points allowed/game) and twirled a statistical gem despite failing one game short of a Super Bowl appearance. The loss brings Stafford's MVP-caliber campaign to a close, and he finished three postseason contests averaging 312.0 passing yards with six total passing touchdowns to one interception. Stafford was one of the top producers in fantasy this year, as he amassed 4,707 passing yards and a career-high 46 touchdowns in 17 starts during the regular season. The 38-year-old blew past his draft value after a preseason back injury quelled expectations to start his 16th season in the pros. Stafford will likely run it back with the Rams in 2026 for the final year of his current deal with both of his superstar wide receivers (Puka Nacua and Davante Adams) in tow, so he should be a popular pick in fantasy drafts next year.