SAN FRANCISCO — In a career defined by resilience and prolific passing, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has reached the pinnacle of individual achievement. On Thursday night, 05 February 2026, the 37-year-old veteran was officially named the NFL Most Valuable Player for the 2025 regular season at the NFL Honors ceremony.
Stafford secured the award in one of the closest voting margins in league history, narrowly edging out New England Patriots breakout star Drake Maye. The victory marks Stafford’s first career MVP award in his 17th NFL season, further cementing his legacy as a future Hall of Famer.
A Statistical Masterclass
Stafford’s 2025 campaign was nothing short of historic. Leading a high-powered Rams offence, he topped the league in several major passing categories. His final regular-season stat line included:
- Passing Yards: 4,707 (NFL Leader)
- Touchdown Passes: 46 (NFL Leader)
- Completion Percentage: 65.4%
- All-Pro Honours: 2025 First-Team All-Pro
Despite the individual accolades, the Rams’ season ended in heartbreak just weeks ago. Los Angeles fell one game short of the Super Bowl, losing a 31-27 thriller to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship game.
The Retirement Question
While the MVP trophy provides a celebratory moment for the Rams organization, Stafford’s future remains the primary storyline of the off-season. At 37, the veteran signal-caller is weighing whether to return for the final year of his contract in 2026 or retire at the top of his game.
Rams General Manager Les Snead addressed the uncertainty this week, stating he intends to give Stafford “space” to make a decision. “We want a win-win for Matthew and the club,” Snead remarked, though he noted the team is prepared to go “All In” again should their MVP decide to run it back for one more year.
Career Milestone Watch
With this MVP win, Stafford joins an elite group of quarterbacks to have won both a Super Bowl (LVI) and an MVP award. His career totals now stand at 64,516 passing yards and 423 touchdowns, placing him firmly among the top ten all-time in nearly every major passing metric.
As the NFL world shifts its focus to the upcoming Super Bowl between the Seahawks and the Patriots, the spotlight remains fixed on Stafford. Whether he chooses to defend his MVP title in 2026 or walk away into the sunset, his 2025 season will be remembered as one of the greatest late-career performances in professional football history.