Matthew Stafford is no stranger to the spotlight. The veteran quarterback, who turns 38 just one day before Super Bowl 60, is once again at the center of the NFL conversation - and for good reason.
After orchestrating a resurgent season with the Los Angeles Rams, Stafford has been named one of five finalists for the league’s MVP award. It’s a milestone that’s eluded him throughout his career, but one that now feels well within reach.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t some sentimental nod to a seasoned vet. Stafford earned this.
He threw for 4,707 yards with 46 touchdowns and just 8 interceptions - numbers that speak to both his precision and his command of the Rams’ offense. He was named to the Pro Bowl for the third time and landed a spot on the first-team All-Pro roster, a testament to just how dialed in he’s been all season.
The Rams’ social media team summed it up best: “A legendary season from a legendary QB.” And it’s hard to argue.
Stafford has been the heartbeat of a Rams squad that not only returned to the postseason but now finds itself one win away from another Super Bowl appearance. If Los Angeles can get past the Seahawks in this weekend’s NFC Championship Game, Stafford won’t just be in the Bay Area for awards night - he’ll be suiting up with a shot at his second Lombardi Trophy in five years.
It’s a remarkable chapter in what’s already been a storied career. Stafford’s journey began at Georgia, where he starred from 2006 to 2008 and earned first-team All-American honors. Fast forward nearly two decades, and he’s still slinging it with the same arm talent and football IQ that made him a No. 1 overall pick.
Of course, the MVP race is stacked. Stafford is joined by fellow quarterbacks Josh Allen (Bills), Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars), and Drake Maye (Patriots), along with 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey. Each has a compelling case, but Stafford’s combination of production, leadership, and late-career resurgence makes his candidacy especially intriguing.
Winning MVP at 38 would be more than just a personal accolade - it would be a capstone. Stafford already has the Super Bowl ring, the stats, the respect. But the MVP would round out his resume in a way that cements his legacy among the game’s elite.
For now, all eyes are on Sunday. If Stafford can lead the Rams past Seattle, he’ll head into Super Bowl week with more than just an MVP trophy on the line - he’ll be chasing another championship, proving once again that age is just a number when you’ve still got the arm, the mind, and the drive to win it all.