Matthew Stafford, the former Detroit Lions quarterback, came up short in his bid for a second Super Bowl since being traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 2021. Despite the disappointment, he appears set to return for at least one more season.

Stafford had faced retirement speculation before last season but opted to sign a two-year deal to stay with the Rams. The contract reportedly included a provision allowing him to evaluate his future after the 2025 season, but it seems he may have already decided to keep playing—even before the NFC Championship loss.

Stafford Leaning Toward Another Season

Stafford led a late surge against the Seattle Seahawks in Sunday’s NFC Championship, but the comeback fell short as Los Angeles lost 31-27. A Super Bowl victory would have further solidified his Hall of Fame credentials, yet reports from SI.com’s Greg Bishop indicate Stafford is preparing to return in 2026.

Bishop noted, “The handshake deal remains in place. Each year, Stafford and the Rams will review the situation. While nothing is final, those close to him don’t expect Stafford to retire this offseason, even if he could walk away on top like John Elway did.”

The Rams maintain a strong roster on both sides of the ball, putting Stafford in a position to once again compete for the NFC West title and a Super Bowl appearance.

Meanwhile, the Lions are seeing positive results from the other key piece of the Stafford trade. Quarterback Jared Goff has helped turn Detroit into a playoff contender, despite a step back this season. Lions head coach Dan Campbell dismissed any talk of moving on from Goff, praising him as a cornerstone of the team.

“Jared Goff is a stud,” Campbell said on 97.1 The Ticket. “He’s a winning quarterback who consistently plays at a high level. We’re fortunate to have him leading our offense.”

Stafford’s Hall of Fame Case Continues to Strengthen

Stafford’s time in Detroit was challenging, with limited roster support. He made just one Pro Bowl and had a single playoff appearance with the Lions. Since joining the Rams, however, he’s enjoyed immediate success and bolstered his legacy.

Owen Hillman of USA Today’s UGA Wire suggested Stafford is a strong candidate for another major NFL award, either the AP Offensive Player of the Year or, more likely, league MVP.

“The OPOY is respected, but for quarterbacks, it often feels like a consolation prize for missing out on MVP,” Hillman wrote. “With Stafford leading in passing yards (4,707) and touchdowns (46) while throwing only eight interceptions, it would be surprising if he doesn’t secure either MVP or OPOY. By that logic, MVP seems all but guaranteed.”