Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford dropped the biggest hint about when he plans to actually retire.
All eyes will be on Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford during the 2026 season and beyond. He has been on the precipice of retirement, or rather, it has been the biggest question posed about him for the past few seasons.
Now, Stafford revealed why he chooses to live on a year-to-year deal in Los Angeles, and when he may actually step away from the game of football. The Rams quarterback joined Chris Long's "Green Light with Chris Long," where he spoke about when he may no longer play.
"It is year to year because I think it's fair to the team. I think it's fair to me uh my family, like I don't want to sit there and say 'Okay you know, 24 months from now I got to be ready to play another football season.' That just seems like a lot. I know that I'm ready to play this year, and hopefully I feel great at the end of next year, and I'm ready to play another one after that and then maybe we just kind of keep going like that. But um committing to more than that feels a little bit daunting um and I think a little bit unfair to the team and myself," Stafford said.
Long asked Stafford if he got any advice from players that went on into their late 30s and 40s, mainly Tom Brady and Drew Brees. Surprisingly, it was Brees that may have convinced the Rams signal caller to remain in the league.
"I was talking to Drew. Um this was before last season. Um and he was like, 'How old are you again?' I was like, 'I'm 37.' He was like, 'You might have your best five years of your career coming up.' You know, and I was like, 'Huh?' You know, I never really thought about it that way," Stafford said.
Stafford admitted that the conversation took place before the 2025 season, when he was 37. He is now 38 but playing the best football of his life. Brees may have just shown the Los Angeles quarterback that his skill set getting better could lead to multiple more years at the top.
Stafford has showcased elite skills in recent years, especially in 2025. He led the league with 4,707 yards, 46 touchdowns, and 276.9 yards per gams.
The success of the Stafford led to his lone MVP award, and he announced his comeback when he received the official award at NFL Honors.
The Rams gave Stafford a restructured deal, signing him to a one-year, $55 million deal. He is signed through the 2027 season, but the quarterback could choose to retire after 2026.
That does appear not to be the case, as Stafford told Long as much. He said the Brees comment "lit a fire under him," so he is more than prepared to play at least through the 2027 season.
What will be interesting is what happens with the current trajectory of Ty Simpson as his successor. The rookie will clearly sit behind Stafford and learn, but if the Rams choose to sit Stafford in 2027, things could become a mess.
Stafford may be forced to move to another team to finish out his career, if the plan is to have him replaced by Simpson during the 2027 season. Then again, that all hinges on whether or not Simpson is ready for that responsibility.
Training camp and preseason will show the Rams where the younger pass is in his maturity and level. If he is viewed as the next step for the offense and team, Stafford could very well ask for a trade to another team in 2027.
This is all speculation, as Stafford will remain under center through 2026 and more than likely in 2027 as well.
