He’s 37. His back has basically been held together by athletic tape and stubbornness for years. And honestly, people still talk about Matthew Stafford like he’s just some guy who got lucky with a trade to Los Angeles.
That’s a mistake. A massive one.
We are currently sitting in January 2026, and Stafford just finished a regular season where he didn't just play; he dominated. 4,707 passing yards. 46 touchdowns. Only 8 interceptions. If you’re keeping track, those are MVP numbers. While everyone was busy crowning the next generation of mobile quarterbacks who run 4.4 forty-yard dashes, the old man in the pocket just quietly put up one of the best statistical seasons of his life.
The Toughness Nobody Talks About
You probably saw the Wild Card game against the Panthers last week. It was ugly for a minute. Stafford jammed his index finger on a defender’s helmet—fingers bent in directions they definitely shouldn't go—and he just kept throwing. Typical.
Most people remember the "Mic’d Up" moment from his rookie year in Detroit where he threw a game-winning touchdown with a separated shoulder. But that wasn't a fluke. It’s his baseline.
He spent the 2025 preseason dealing with a back issue that had the Rams coaching staff "holding on for dear life," according to Stafford himself. There were moments in August where it wasn't clear if he’d even make it to Week 1. Not only did he make it, but he started all 17 games. That’s the thing about Matthew Stafford. He’s played through fractured bones in his back, torn ligaments in his hands, and ankles that probably shouldn't support a human being, let much an NFL quarterback.
Why the Detroit years warped our perception
For twelve years, Stafford was the best player on a mostly mediocre Detroit Lions team. He piled up over 45,000 yards there, but the 0-3 playoff record became the only thing anyone cared about.
It’s easy to look back and say he was "stat-padding" in garbage time. But if you actually watch the tape from those years, you see a guy who was carrying an entire franchise on his right arm. When he finally got traded to the Rams in 2021 for Jared Goff and a haul of picks, the narrative changed instantly. One year in a competent system with Sean McVay, and he had a ring.
Funny how that works.
Breaking Down the 2025-2026 Season
If you think he’s slowing down, the numbers from this past season say otherwise. He led the league in passing yards and touchdowns. Let that sink in for a second. At an age where most quarterbacks are looking at broadcasting contracts, he was more efficient than he’s ever been.
Here is what the reality looks like right now:
- Total Career Passing Yards: 64,516 (and counting).
- Touchdowns this year: 46.
- Playoff Record: 6-5 (after the win against Carolina).
- Current Status: Heading into a Divisional Round matchup against the Chicago Bears.
The chemistry he’s developed with Puka Nacua is frankly ridiculous. Nacua just led the league in catches (129) because Stafford has this uncanny ability to throw guys open before they even make their break. It’s that sidearm, no-look stuff that Patrick Mahomes gets all the credit for, but Stafford has been doing it since 2009.
The Contract Drama
Look, the 2026 offseason is going to be wild. Stafford’s current deal runs through the end of next year, but there’s no guaranteed money left starting this March. He’s due to make $40 million in 2026.
Is he worth it?
If you ask the Rams, the answer is probably a nervous "yes." Without him, this team isn't in the playoffs. They explored trades last year with the Raiders and Giants, but Stafford chose to stick around. Now, after an MVP-caliber run, he has all the leverage. He could easily ask for $50 million a year on a short extension, and someone would pay it.
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What’s Next for #9?
The Rams are currently preparing to face a nasty Bears defense. Montez Sweat and that Chicago front are going to be pinning their ears back, specifically targeting that sprained finger on Stafford's throwing hand.
But if history tells us anything, it's that Stafford plays better when he's beat up. He’s one of the last "pure" pocket passers who can still win a game purely with his brain and his arm. He doesn't need to scramble for 50 yards to be dangerous.
You’ve got to appreciate this while it lasts. We are watching a Hall of Fame career enter its final act, and instead of a slow fade, he’s turning up the volume.
What you should do next: Keep a close eye on the injury reports leading up to the Bears game this Sunday. If Stafford's finger allows him to grip the ball normally in cold weather, the Rams are a legitimate threat to win another Super Bowl. Also, watch the "all-22" film of his no-look passes to Nacua—it’s a masterclass in manipulation that few other QBs can replicate.