ESPN reportedly has its eye on Rams superstar quarterback Matthew Stafford in a potential TV role after he retires.
ESPN reportedly has its eye on Rams superstar quarterback Matthew Stafford in a potential TV role after he retires.
The Athletic's Andrew Marchand said that the worldwide leader in sports will have their eye on Stafford as his playing days near the end.
"Stafford, the reigning NFL MVP, would be in demand whenever his playing career ends, with ESPN already eying him."
His role at the network is unclear as things stand; however, it would likely be on Monday Night Football. Stafford wouldn't likely replace Troy Aikman on the broadcast, but he could serve as an in-studio analyst or perhaps the Monday Night Countdown team.
Stafford has so much knowledge of the game, and that has been evident throughout his 17-year career thus far. However, he proved last season that he has plenty left in the tank and then some.
The 38-year-old collected his first MVP of his career after a career year in Los Angeles. The first-team All-Pro quarterback led the Rams to a 12-5 record while completing 388 passes for a 65 completion percentage, 46 touchdowns, eight interceptions, and threw for a career-high 4,707 passing yards and averaged a career-high 276.9 yards per game.
His 2025 season was one for the ages, but his chance of repeating that in 2026 seems dire. Still, there is no doubting that he will and can play at an elite level as he's been displaying throughout his career in Los Angeles.
Stafford will enter the final year of his contract. While the Rams would love to bring him back, especially if he continues to play stellarly, the end is near. L.A. could move in a different direction, going with a younger quarterback. If so, Stafford could resort to taking a chance in front of that camera if that catches his interest.
Stafford isn't the only Ram that a network has had their eye on. Rams head coach Sean McVay received lucrative TV offers before winning his first Super Bowl in the 2021 season. The 40-year-old head coach received offers from Amazon, but turned them down to continue coaching the Rams.
Regardless of his committed loyalty to the Rams, he has remained a top broadcasting candidate due to his charisma, though he has occasionally appeared on studio shows.
The Rams have high hopes for the 2026 season with Stafford and McVay being at the forefront of all things. L.A. will go as far as the quarterback-coach combo will take them.