The Los Angeles Rams’ heartbreaking loss to the Detroit Lions in the NFC Wild Card Round has raised questions about Matthew Stafford’s future with the team.
Stafford missed only one game due to injury this season but is turning 36 next month. He also dealt with several injuries during the 2022 season that sparked rumors of retirement.
Stafford not only returned for the 2023 season, but showed he can still play at a high level. After a disappointing end to an otherwise solid year, the two-time Pro Bowler confirmed he will be back with the Rams in 2024, per Stu Jackson of the TheRams.com:
Asked in his postgame press conference Sunday night if he will be back in 2024, Stafford said “that’s my plan right now.”
“Yeah, my plan is to be back and you’re going to have to deal with me for another year, so have fun with that,” Stafford said with a smile.
Stafford was the leader of a young Rams roster that exceeded expectations this season. He enjoyed playing alongside them and is looking forward to running it back in 2024:
“A jolt of energy,” Stafford said, when asked postgame what he got from the young Rams’ roster this year. “Man, it was fun.I had a blast. It was a heck of a challenge, but I got to sit there and push guys, but also watch guys come into their own in this league and it’s not an easy thing to do. We got a lot of young guys and not only rookies, but guys who hadn’t played a lot of football, but stepped into big time roles and became huge pieces of our team and stars in our league. So proud of those guys and happy to be a part of a team that has a group of guys like that. It takes everybody, right? It takes coaches, it takes trainers, strength staff, everything, to get to these points in the season and came up a little bit short today, but really proud of those guys.”
Stafford completed 326 of 521 passes for 3,965 yards and 24 touchdowns against 11 interceptions this season. He became the 11th player in NFL history to eclipse 53,000 career passing yards and moved into 11th all-time in passing touchdowns.
Stafford figures to make more NFL history in 2024 as he needs just 10 touchdowns and 977 passing yards to surpass Eli Manning for 10th all-time in both categories.
Sean McVay: Rams ‘committed’ to Matthew Stafford
When asked if the Rams are committed to Stafford next season, head coach Sean McVay gave a definitive yes.
“A hundred percent, absolutely. Unequivocally, yes,” McVay said. “Yes, I totally understand it. But, oh man, that would be a good way to get me really riled up. No, we’re ready to go. He’s ready to go and couldn’t be more committed to having him lead us next year.”
The 2024 season will be Stafford’s fourth with the Rams and 16th overall in the NFL.
