Sometimes perspective comes from the locker room. When Los Angeles Rams guard Steve Avila admits he was nine years old when Matthew Stafford entered the NFL, it highlights just how long the quarterback has been part of the league’s fabric. It also underscores how unexpected this season has felt.
The offseason did not point toward an MVP discussion. Trade conversations surfaced. A lingering back issue kept Stafford sidelined through most of training camp. At 37, questions about durability followed him into September. The expectation was cautious optimism at best.
Instead, Stafford responded with one of the most productive seasons the NFL has seen in years. His teammates noticed early, and the rest of the league soon followed. What began as a wait-and-see situation evolved into a full-scale revival. Stafford didn’t just stay healthy. He dominated.
“He is the MVP. There’s no ifs ands or buts about it… The season he’s had is ridiculous. The career he’s had is just tremendous.
Matthew Stafford’s 2025 run: A season that changed the conversation
Statistically, the year stands apart. Stafford led the NFL with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdown passes while throwing only eight interceptions. According to NFL Research, only three quarterbacks in league history have reached at least 45 touchdowns with fewer than 10 picks in a season. At his age, it placed him in rare company.
Week 18 became the final exclamation point. Four touchdown passes, another Player of the Week honor, and a finish that pushed him firmly to the front of the MVP race. As of January 4, BetMGM listed Stafford as the betting favorite, despite the fact that he has never won the award.
Teammates made their feelings clear. Rams running back Blake Corum told USA TODAY Sports that Stafford’s impact goes beyond numbers, pointing to consistency and command. MVP voting closed Monday, with the award to be announced at NFL Honors on February 5.
Stafford himself kept the focus narrow. When asked about MVP consideration by USA TODAY Sports, he credited the offensive system, his receivers, and the coaching staff. That response fit a season defined less by hype and more by execution.
What makes the performance resonate is the path to get here. The Rams allowed Stafford’s agent to explore trade options last February before agreeing to a restructured deal. Soon after, an aggravated disk threatened his availability altogether. Stafford later admitted there were moments when simply getting back on the field felt uncertain.
Now, he has started all 17 games and guided Los Angeles into the postseason once again. Since arriving from the Detroit Lions in 2021, he has delivered a Super Bowl and sustained relevance in a league that rarely offers second acts.
Rams coach Sean McVay summed it up best, praising Stafford’s presence, composure, and influence on the team. With another playoff run ahead, the Rams are chasing more than wins. They are watching a veteran quarterback reshape his legacy in real time.
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