Former Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has decided to continue his NFL career, giving himself another opportunity to further enhance a résumé that is already drawing strong Hall of Fame support.

Although Stafford came up short of a second Super Bowl appearance after the Los Angeles Rams were defeated in the NFC Championship Game, he still had plenty to celebrate. The veteran signal-caller captured his first NFL MVP award and used the moment to confirm he would return for another season. With much of their core intact, the Rams are expected to remain serious championship contenders.

The MVP honor significantly strengthened Stafford’s Hall of Fame case, and additional recognition soon followed. A recent ranking by Bleacher Report listed him at No. 20 among the 99 greatest quarterbacks in league history. The outlet highlighted the impressive production he compiled dating back to his tenure as the Lions’ No. 1 overall draft pick.

The report emphasized that Stafford has built what appears to be a Canton-worthy career, suggesting he would already merit consideration even if he had chosen to step away after this season. Despite limited postseason success during his years in Detroit, he was one of the franchise’s most productive players ever. His 45,109 passing yards with the Lions alone rank among the top totals in NFL history, and his 282 touchdown passes in Detroit surpass the career total of Hall of Famer Joe Montana.

Further praise came from USA Today analyst Jacob Camenker, who described Stafford as one of the major winners of the 2025 season. According to Camenker, securing the MVP award may ultimately prove pivotal when Hall of Fame discussions arise. With both a league MVP and a Super Bowl championship on his résumé—alongside top-10 career rankings in passing yards and touchdowns—Stafford’s credentials appear increasingly difficult to overlook.

Looking ahead to 2026, Stafford will have another chance to add to his accomplishments as Los Angeles enters the season with high expectations.

Meanwhile, the Lions continue to navigate a different path following the blockbuster 2021 trade. Quarterback Jared Goff has emerged as the team’s long-term answer under center, but Detroit missed the playoffs in 2025 and now faces a challenging offseason with several key contributors approaching free agency.