Matthew Stafford was one of the oldest players in the NFL last season, but you’d never know that by watching him play. He was as sharp as ever in 2023, picking apart defenses week in and week out with no-look throws, sidearm bullets and deep shots to Puka Nacua.
Now 36 years old, his future in the league is a regular question. While fans are enjoying this run he’s been on with the Rams, they’re also curious about how much longer he plans to play – especially after he and the team adjusted his contract this offseason.
It sure doesn’t sound like Stafford plans to retire in the immediate future, which explains why he was reportedly seeking more guaranteed money in 2025 and 2026 when negotiating a new contract this summer.
While on “Pardon My Take” recently, Stafford said he hopes to play another three or four years.
“Every year that I play now, I just appreciate so much and I think back on – I mean, we were just talking about plays from my rookie year and it’s like, man, that was a long, long time ago,” he said. “I walk into a locker room with guys who were 6, 7, 8, 9 years old when I first came into the league, which is kind of crazy to think about. But I definitely appreciate my opportunities and appreciate this game. I mean, it’s given me a ton. I hope I’ve got three or four more left in me. We’ll see. Every year is a new year, but I do feel good.”
Stafford was asked about whether he thinks about being a Hall of Famer or the fact that he’s 11th on the all-time passing list with 56,047 yards, but it doesn’t come into his mind very often. He’s honored to be mentioned among the league’s all-time greats, but he doesn’t think about it much.
“As far as the history books, I have so much respect for this game,” he said. “I was the kid that grew up watching NFL Films, watching Steve Sabol and those guys voiceover stuff. I was all-in on Johnny Unitas and Slingin’ Sammy Baugh and all the guys. So I have a ton of respect for this game and just being anywhere near guys like that, in that kind of conversation is incredibly humbling and something that I don’t think about on a day-to-day basis, but when it comes up, it’s a ton of appreciation for me.”
Stafford is signed through the 2026 season, but after the Rams adjusted his contract last month, he actually has less guaranteed money in future years. That opens the door for the Rams and Stafford to go back to the negotiating table next spring, which could lead to a split or a multi-year extension for the veteran quarterback.
If Stafford thinks he can play another three or four years, he might want to play elsewhere if the Rams don’t feel confident he can pull that off. But if the Rams are on the same page, don’t be surprised if the two sides strike a new deal next offseason.
