After narrowly winning the top individual honor in football, Matthew Stafford decided to break a bit of news about his future.
In his acceptance speech after winning the 2025 NFL MVP award at Thursday night’s NFL Honors ceremony in San Francisco, the Los Angeles Rams quarterback confirmed he would return for the 2026 season.
“To my four beautiful daughters who I am lucky enough to be sharing the stage with … I am so happy to have you at the games, on the sideline with me, and I can’t wait for you to cheer me on next year when we’re out there kicking (butt),” Stafford said.
‘So, I’ll see you guys next year. Hopefully I’m not at this event, and we’re getting ready for another game at SoFi (Stadium, where Super Bowl 61 will be held).’
Cameras cut to Rams coach Sean McVay, who applauded the remark, and Rams running back Kyren Williams, who smiled and bounced as Stafford continued to speak.
Stafford confirmed to reporters afterward that he had not informed teammates or the coaching staff about his decision prior to Thursday night’s announcement.
‘It’s something I’d been thinking about and honestly talking with my family about, even before the season ended, whether or not they wanted me to continue to play and whether or not I felt like I wanted to keep playing,’ Stafford said. ‘I ended the season on a healthy note and was a part of a great team. I had a bunch of teammates in the crowd, some coaches in the crowd and it just felt like the right thing to do at the right moment. It’s a family decision – I had my girls with me – so it just felt right.’
Stafford, who turns 38 on Saturday, previously had remained noncommittal about his playing future after Los Angeles’ loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC championship game.
McVay said earlier in the week he was keeping his ‘fingers crossed’ for another year from the quarterback.
‘(M)an, is he still playing at an incredible level,’ McVay said. ‘Our hope is that he does (return), but I think with respect to his timetable and ability to be able to communicate with you guys whenever he feels ready to make that announcement, we’ll let him be able to do that.’
Stafford beat out New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye by one first-place vote to take home the first NFL MVP Award of his career.