NFL divisional round overreactions
Mackenzie Salmon breaks down the divisional round of the NFL playoffs as the championship game matchups are set.
Sports Seriously
Matthew Stafford‘s 16th NFL season came to an end in the Los Angeles Rams‘ 28-22 divisional round loss against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Immediately, the soon-to-be 37-year-old was asked what the future would hold for him.
“It’s 30 minutes after the last game,” Stafford told reporters when asked about his future. “I’ll take some time to think about it.”
Stafford acknowledged he “was playing some pretty good ball” down the stretch of the 2024 NFL season, during which he completed 65.8% of his passes for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He was also asked if he still had high-quality football left in him for future seasons.
“Sure feels like it,” Stafford responded.
The veteran quarterback may have hinted at a return later when discussing the Rams coming up short during their furious comeback effort.
“I love competing,” Stafford said, per ESPN. “I love being in those moments. Sure as hell not afraid of them. And competed my ass off and it didn’t go the way I wanted to today. Next time I’m out there, line it up. Let’s do it again.”
With that in mind, it seems like Stafford is leaning toward returning to the Rams for another season. The veteran quarterback still has two years remaining on the four-year, $160 million contract extension he signed with Los Angeles after leading them to a Super Bowl 56 win.
Both Stafford and the Rams declined to adjust that contract in the 2024 offseason. As such, it isn’t clear whether they will try to defray Stafford’s upcoming $49.6 million cap hit for the 2025 season or keep things status quo.
Rams coach Sean McVay said he was “not really interested in talking about anything as it relates to next year” after the loss. That said, it seems he would be thrilled if Stafford returns to the team, regardless of whether it’s on his current deal or a restructured one.
“He is a warrior. He’s so tough,” McVay said of Stafford during his postgame media availability. “He represents so many things that are right about what this team became, especially for a city that’s hurting and going through some different stuff.
“I think he epitomizes a lot of the stuff that’s right at him in terms of toughness, resilience, ability to overcome adversity. He’s a total freaking stud. And I thought he was outstanding tonight with the opportunities that he was given. … I’m sure damn proud of Matthew Stafford.”
