Stafford thread…from the contract to recent rankings

“You talk to people around the league… There may be no more highly RESPECTED quarterback in the league than Matthew Stafford.”@GregCosell on the Rams QB: pic.twitter.com/Y2Ibnpdblf

— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) July 19, 2025

from NFL.com: Top 100 Players of 2025, Nos. 60-53 … https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2025/07/31/rams-nfl-top-100-jared-verse-ranking-best-players/85459001007/?taid=688ba3791872bd000134bc5d&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter

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Matthew Stafford

2024 stats: 16 games | 65.8 pct | 3,762 pass yds | 7.3 ypa | 20 pass TD | 8 INT | 41 rush yds | 6 fumbles

Stafford has been playing in the NFL since some of his teammates were in elementary school, and yet the 37-year-old quarterback has shown he still has the chops to compete with the best. Though his stats took a bit of downturn from his Pro Bowl season in 2023, Stafford led the Rams back to the playoffs last season, defeating the Vikings before falling just short of taking down the eventual Super Bowl-champion Eagles in snowy conditions. Stafford’s future in Los Angeles appeared murky in the early stages of this offseason as the QB put out feelers to see if moving on was the right move. But he eventually decided to stick with the Rams, taking a hometown discount to stay in Los Angeles for at least 2025, his 17th NFL season. And as head coach Sean McVay has said, if the Rams had it their way Stafford would keep on playing in L.A. for a least a few more years.

NFL Pro Insight for Stafford: Matthew Stafford executed 67 designed rollouts this past season, the second-most in the NFL, completing 48 of 66 passes (72.7%) for 437 yards (second-most) and an NFL-leading nine touchdowns without a single interception.

from NFL QB Tiers 2025: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6514160/2025/08/11/nfl-qb-rankings-tiers-2025-jackson-daniels/?campaign=14545341&source=athletic_targeted_email&userId=603890

Mike Sando

Quarterback Tiers results are in for 2025, with 50 NFL coaches and executives…The 2025 QB Tiers results are complete with commentary from the panel of 50 voters, who were granted anonymity to share candid evaluations. The panel comprised six general managers, six assistant GMs, six former GMs, five other executives, eight head coaches and 19 other coaches, including 15 coordinators.

Stafford = Tier 1, rank 5

“Every time I watch him, I go, ‘Whoa!’”

AGE: 37 HT: 6′ 3″ WT: 214

Stafford is making his Tier 1 debut at age 37 after 11 consecutive seasons in Tier 2. His ability to work through a back injury that has sidelined him in camp will be key.

“I always had a high admiration for him as a competitor, arm talent and playmaker, but always thought he was a gunslinger,” one voter said. “He still has that in him, but his mind, his ability to process, think and communicate stand out.”

Stafford’s ability to process and play from the pocket has long endeared him to offensive coaches who prefer to play that way.

“I guarantee all your 1s for Stafford came from offensive coaches,” a defensive coordinator said. “Offensive coaches kiss this guy’s ass all the time, especially guys from that system. He’s really good, though. I would take him over (Justin) Herbert because he is a better passer, with better timing.”

It wasn’t just offensive coaches pushing Stafford into Tier 1. Far from it. Three GMs, one assistant GM, three former GMs, four other personnel execs and seven defensive coordinators accounted for the bulk of Stafford’s 26 top-tier votes.

“That dude is something,” a defensive coordinator said. “Every time I watch him, I go, ‘Whoa!’ He is a high 2.”

This coordinator reconsidered when asked what was keeping Stafford from Tier 1.

“There is really nothing,” the coordinator replied. “He’s a 1. He’s that good. They are a play away from (the NFC Championship Game) last year. He worries the s— out of you.”