After the Los Angeles Rams’ 31-27 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the National Finals, quarterback Matthew Stafford refused to indicate whether he would be back next year.
Aged 37, Stafford has just completed his 17th season in the NFL. He is under contract through the end of the 2026 season, after reworking a contract in February 2025 with the Rams.
“I can’t sum up six months of my life in 10 minutes after a loss,” Stafford said. I really like the guys in the locker room. Everyone who helped me and helped our team be successful this season. That’s all I’ll answer. »
When asked after the game if he expected Stafford to be back next season, Rams coach Sean McVay said, “Yeah, if he still wants to play.” What is this question? »
Then when asked if Stafford still wanted to play next season, McVay replied, “You’ll have to ask him.” »
“I know that if he wants, he can still play at a very good level. He’s the MVP of the league, and if he’s not… I have respect for everyone, but this guy played at a different level. »
Stafford is coming off the best season of his career, finishing the season as the favorite to be named MVP, after leading the NFL in passing yards (4,707) and touchdown passes (46).
In Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks, Stafford completed 22 of 35 pass attempts for 374 yards, with three touchdown passes and no interceptions.
Rams receiver Puka Nacua said he thought Stafford was “phenomenal” on Sunday.
“He always does a great job making plays,” said the man who finished the game with nine receptions for 165 yards and a touchdown.
“I think in the moments when we needed it, he was able to read the defense and put the ball where he needed to. »
The loss was very difficult to understand “because of the finality of the season,” McVay said.
Stafford said the loss was “a tough pill to swallow at this point.”
“I felt like we were going to be the team on that podium,” McVay said. And we weren’t. And we have to give Seattle credit, but I love this band. I’m rarely at a loss for words, but I am right now. »
