Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has made his decision for the 2026-27 NFL season.
Stafford, 37, accepted the NFL MVP Award on Thursday, February 5, at the NFL Honors show, and in his speech, announced he would return for an 18th season.
“I am so happy to have you at the games on the sideline with me,” Stafford said to his daughters, who joined him on stage. “And I can’t wait for you to cheer me on next year when we’re out there kicking ass. So I’ll see you guys next year — hopefully I’m not at this event and we’re getting ready for another game at SoFi.”
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California is the Rams’ home stadium and will also host the 2027 Super Bowl.
Kelly Stafford Complains About ‘Absurd’ Process to Get NFL Playoff Tickets
Stafford and the Rams came tantalizingly close to making the 2026 Super Bowl, falling 31-27 to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship game. The Seahawks will face the New England Patriots on Sunday, February 8.
After the Rams’ loss, Stafford shared how his family responded to the disappointment. He and his wife, Kelly Stafford, share daughters Sawyer, 8, Chandler, 8, Hunter, 7, and Tyler, 5.
“My daughter was crying after the game in my arms and saying, ‘Dad, I feel so bad for you,’” he recalled on the January 26 episode of SiriusXM’s “Let’s Go” podcast. “I told her, ‘You know what? Don’t feel bad for me. My life’s a blessing. I get to play this game. I’ve gotten to play it for 17 years.’ I got four little girls that are cheering me on, a beautiful wife that’s doing the same.”
He continued, “Sports and football, in particular, are difficult at times, but it also gives me the opportunity to teach my kids and be something for them. I could sit there and be like, ‘Man, I feel like I played good and we didn’t win and this happened and that happened,’ but it’s like, no. Have the courage to go put yourself out there.”
Kelly Stafford Reacts to Hubby Matt Stafford’s TV Debut: ‘You Are Hot’
“Live with the results and learn from them. It was a moment in time that I’ll never forget just being able to talk to her in that moment and bring her back from tears but also saying it to her and also saying it to myself at the same time,” Matthew added. “It’s a special thing.”
When Matthew arrived home from the Rams’ season-ending loss, Kelly, 36, shared a video of him giving each of his daughters a good night kiss before bed. The next day, mom and dad surprised them with a box of donuts and a hand-written note.
“Thenk you for being such rockstars for me all season long!” the note read. “Y’all were the inspiration for daddy’s incredible year! We ♥️ you!”
Matthew finished the 2025-26 season with 4,707 passing yards, his most since 2021, and 46 touchdowns. He received 24 of the 50 first-place votes in MVP voting, just good enough to beat out Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. It was the NFL’s closest MVP vote since 2003 and it made Stafford the oldest first-time MVP winner in league history.
