Rams head coach Sean McVay addresses the future without star quarterback Matthew Stafford.
The Los Angeles Rams will enter their sixth season with quarterback Matthew Stafford under center and head coach Sean McVay as the play caller. While MaVay will presumably continue coaching, Stafford's future beyond 2026 still remains a mystery.
While Stafford may choose to walk away after 2026, McVay has offered a clearer-cut prediction of when the MVP will retire.
This head coach-quarterback duo has been arguably the best in that span, as they've collected one Super Bowl and four playoff berths. Stafford and McVay will look to reach that mountain top once again in 2026 after falling short in the past two seasons.
It won't be an easy task; however, as the Rams will be up against the Seattle Seahawks and the awaiting competition in the NFC conference.
While Stafford's future beyond 2026 is unclear. McVay spoke on Stafford's future with the team while speaking to the media in Phoenix on Monday.
The 40-year-old head coach got honest and said the Rams do think about life after Stafford. In addition, McVay said that it would not shock him if Stafford plays more than one year.
Whether that is with the Rams or not, that still remains unclear.
Stafford is coming off the best season of his NFL career. At the age of 37, the Texas native earned his first-ever MVP award. In 17 games in 2025, completed 388 completions for a completion percentage of 65 percent, 4707 passing yards, 46 touchdowns (a career high), eight interceptions and averaged 276.9 yards per game.
Stafford also earned First-team All-Pro, the first time in his career.
Now, Stafford will enter his 18th season. While he's proven that he has plenty left in the tank, it's unclear if he wants to continue putting his body on the line. The three-time Pro Bowler has suffered through injuries in the past, and a ton with the Rams alone.
From a 2025 back issue to a 2022 concussion, along with a spinal cord bruise and lingering finger and elbow problems that same year — plus playing through cracked ribs in 2021 — it’s been a turbulent injury history for the former No. 1 overall pick.
Stafford has contemplated retiring in the past, and there is a chance he could hang up his cleats after this fall.
Nonetheless, the Rams are already thinking about the future without Stafford. There is a chance that Los Angeles could draft their future signal caller in this year's draft, trade for one, or even sign one in free agency.
Los Angeles has plenty of options, and if McVay continues to lead the charge, the Rams will be in a great spot for years to come.