When Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford finally stepped back onto the field, speculation ran wild, not about his playing condition, but whether he was the real Stafford at all.
The internet had latched onto the most absurd conspiracy yet: Matthew was dead, and a clone had taken his place.
It was a claim so outlandish it demanded a response. So who better than his wife, Kelly, to deliver it, with a dose of humor?
Kelly Stafford took to her Instagram Story on August 20, 2025, reposting a headline from Barstool Sports that proclaimed: “The best NFL conspiracy theory on the internet, Matthew Stafford died a couple weeks ago, got cloned, new one is now QB1 for the Rams.”
Her caption? “I knew there was something different about him…. that @ammortal_official is wild.”
This oddball theory swirled after Stafford’s prolonged absence from training camp, attributed to lingering back soreness. He had received epidural injections for relief, sparking concern and speculation.
Photos from practice showed him entering an Ammortal Chamber, a high-end wellness device used by the quarterback for recovery. From there, online forums ran with the idea that maybe he hadn’t returned, but a “Stafford clone” had instead.
Return to practice adds fuel to the fire
Matthew Stafford reappeared in full pads during team drills this week. Head coach Sean McVay confirmed he logged 26 plays, saying, “It was good to be able to have Matthew out there. He did a good job today. I thought he looked good.”
Still, McVay kept expectations measured: “We’re going to keep it a day and really a week at a time,” he said, signaling caution on Stafford’s ability to suit up for Week 1.
With Stafford’s status still unsettled, attention turns to potential alternatives. If he remains sidelined, veteran backup Jimmy Garoppolo is positioned to take the helm, with Stetson Bennett next in line.
Stafford prepares for a new season
With Week 1 fast approaching, the Rams continue to balance optimism with caution regarding their veteran quarterback.
Matthew Stafford‘s progress in practice is an encouraging sign, but his availability remains uncertain until coaches see how his back responds to a sustained workload. For Rams fans, that means the focus is no longer on far-fetched conspiracies but on whether their Super Bowl-winning quarterback can be ready to lead the team once again.
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