Matthew Stafford Celebrates NFL MVP Win with Family at Raising Cane’s
SAN FRANCISCO – Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is savoring the pinnacle of his 17-year NFL career after being named the 2025 Associated Press Most Valuable Player. The award, presented Thursday night at NFL Honors in San Francisco, California, capped a remarkable season for the 37-year-old signal-caller and was followed by a celebratory family meal at Raising Cane’s.
Stafford narrowly edged New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye for the honor, receiving 366 points and 24 first-place votes to Maye’s 361 points and 23 first-place votes. Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen and the Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert also received first-place votes, with two and one respectively, highlighting the competitive nature of the race. The win marks a significant achievement for Stafford, who had previously been a two-time Pro Bowler but had yet to claim the league’s most prestigious individual award.
A Season for the Record Books
Stafford’s MVP season was statistically dominant. He led the NFL with 4,707 passing yards, averaging 276.9 yards per game, and threw a league-best 46 touchdown passes against just eight interceptions. His passer rating of 109.2 ranked second in the league, and he also led the NFL in first downs with 236. Under Stafford’s leadership, the Rams boasted the league’s top-scoring offense, averaging 30.5 points per game, and finished the regular season with a 12-5 record, earning the fifth seed in the NFC playoffs.
The quarterback’s performance was particularly impressive considering pre-season concerns about his back, which had sidelined him at times. He overcame those questions to deliver a career year and solidify his place among the NFL’s elite.
Family First: A Post-Awards Celebration
Following the NFL Honors ceremony at the Palace of Fine Arts, Stafford celebrated his achievement with his wife, Kelly, and their four daughters: twins Sawyer and Chandler (8 years old), Hunter (7), and Tyler (5). The family opted for a casual and heartfelt celebration, joining Raising Cane’s founder and owner Todd Graves at a special food truck event.
The Staffords enjoyed the classic Cane’s Box Combo, featuring chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, and Cane’s toast. The choice of Raising Cane’s reflects a down-to-earth approach to celebrating success, prioritizing family time and a simple, enjoyable meal.
Looking Ahead: Stafford’s Plans for 2026
In his acceptance speech, Stafford indicated his intention to return for the 2026 season, stating he hoped to be preparing for the Super Bowl next year rather than attending NFL Honors. This announcement comes as a welcome sign for Rams fans, who witnessed their team’s resurgence under Stafford’s guidance. He becomes the oldest quarterback to win his first NFL MVP award at 37 years old.
Stafford’s MVP win places him in elite company. He joined Tom Brady (2007) as only the second player in the last 50 seasons to lead the NFL in passing touchdowns, passing yards, and TD-INT ratio. He is also just the fourth quarterback in league history to record at least 45 passing touchdowns and fewer than 10 interceptions in a single season.
The question now turns to Stafford’s long-term legacy. With a Super Bowl LVI title already on his resume, the MVP award further strengthens his case for eventual enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His sustained success and recent peak performance have undoubtedly sparked renewed discussion about his place among the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.
The Rams will look to build on their successful 2025 campaign and make another deep playoff run in the 2026 season, with Stafford leading the charge. The team’s next steps will be closely watched as they aim to capitalize on their quarterback’s exceptional form and compete for another Super Bowl title.
Stafford and the Rams will begin preparations for the 2026 season in the spring, with details on training camp and the pre-season schedule to be announced by the league in the coming months. Fans can follow the team’s progress and receive official updates on the Rams’ website and social media channels.
