Rams' Matthew Stafford Hit With Questionable Ranking After MVP Win

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford received a questionable ranking among NFL quarterbacks in a recent post from ESPN.

This offseason, ESPN analyst Jeremy Fowler has compiled surveys from NFL executives, coaches, and scouts in an effort to rank the top 10 players at each position on offense and defense.

As a result of the feedback in the surveys, Stafford was ranked as the No. 3 quarterback in the NFL behind Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

When talking about Stafford's 2025 performance, one NFL head coach said, "Nobody played better than him last year, and it wasn't even close."

Last season, Stafford led the NFL in passing yards with 4,707 yards, passing touchdowns with 46, and yards per game as he averaged 276.9. Another key stat to look at is QBR, where Stafford ranked No. 4 in the NFL with a rating of 71.2.

Regardless of where people look, Stafford's 2025 campaign was very impressive, whether it be analyzing the stats or watching his tape. One of the most impressive things about his season was the success he had against the eventual Super Bowl champion Seahawks.

In Stafford's three matchups against the Seahawks, he put up a combined 961 yards and eight touchdowns with zero interceptions. Meaning that against the defense that won the Super Bowl, Stafford averaged 320.3 passing yards and 2.7 touchdowns. No matter the circumstance, Stafford proved he can be one of the most productive and dangerous quarterbacks in the entire NFL.

It is also important to note that Stafford does have one of the best play-callers in the game on his side with head coach Sean McVay.

"Stafford and McVay is now the best quarterback-coach duo in the league," one AFC offensive coach said.

This past season, McVay put his play-calling creativity on display in a major way with the emphasis on 13 personnel, which deploys three tight ends and one running back on the field and can force defenses into tough matchups depending on the way they match up with it.

In addition to the use of 13 personnel, McVay also found creative ways to get wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams involved, which helped Stafford to create one of the top receiver duos in the league.

However, with all the weapons and the creativity that Stafford has in McVay, it is possible that some around the NFL believe that Stafford does have more advantages than some quarterbacks do.

"The system helps him. He has an elite offensive coach and elite weapons. He's great, don't get me wrong. He has advantages that some of the other quarterbacks don't have," an NFL coordinator said.

In the NFL, it is very difficult to be productive, let alone have the kind of season that Stafford had. Every quarterback needs reliable weapons and a play-caller who can put defenses in tough positions to create advantages for the offense.

The difference between Stafford and the other quarterbacks in the NFL is his experience, ability to process the game quickly, and his quick release that enables the Rams to call almost anything regardless of the pressure or coverage.

While some NFL experts may view Stafford's advantages as something that makes it tough to elevate him into being the best quarterback in the NFL, his ability to consistently finish as one of the most productive quarterbacks in the league is something that cannot be denied.

If Stafford can build on his 2025 season and demonstrate that he is still one of the most talented and effective quarterbacks in the NFL, he could very well lead this Rams' roster to a Super Bowl victory and force the NFL community to acknowledge him as the best quarterback in the league following the 2026 season.

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