Matthew Stafford has reached the stage of his career when quarterbacks are usually fighting Father Time. Instead, the Los Angeles Rams star appears to be beating it.
Stafford delivered perhaps the finest season of his career at age 37 in 2025, capturing his first NFL MVP award while producing numbers that placed him alongside some of the greatest quarterbacks in league history.
The veteran led the NFL in both passing yards and touchdown passes while throwing fewer than 10 interceptions. The only other quarterback to accomplish that combination was Tom Brady during his historic 2007 season with the New England Patriots.
Stafford also became the first quarterback since Peyton Manning in 2008 to win MVP while playing for a wild-card team. Manning accomplished the feat one year before the Detroit Lions selected Stafford with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.
Nearly two decades later, Stafford remains one of football’s most dangerous passers.
His partnership with Rams coach Sean McVay has helped transform Los Angeles into one of the NFL’s most explosive offensive teams. Stafford’s willingness to attack tight windows, combined with his experience and ability to deliver under pressure, was especially evident throughout the 2025 campaign as he helped push Los Angeles to the brink of another Super Bowl appearance.
The numbers further illustrate just how special Stafford’s season was.
Stafford made NFL history at 37
According to NFL Pro Insight, Stafford became only the fifth quarterback to outright lead the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns while directing the league’s No. 1 scoring offense. He joined Patrick Mahomes in 2022, Peyton Manning in 2013, Brady in 2007 and Kurt Warner in 2001.
That’s elite company for a quarterback who seemingly continues getting better with age.
Now opposing defenses face another difficult assignment in 2026: stopping the reigning MVP.
And Stafford’s story might not end there. With Drew Brees providing another example of a quarterback succeeding deep into his career, Stafford could have more football ahead of him beyond this season.
The fine wine isn’t finished aging yet.
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