Matthew Stafford confirms NFL retirement decision as Rams fall short of Super Bowl

Matthew Stafford has come up short in his quest to lead the Los Angeles Rams back to the Super Bowl.

The 17-year veteran battled to the final second of the NFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks, but suffered a heartbreaking 31-27 loss.

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Instead, it’s Sam Darnold and the Seahawks that have set up a date with the AFC Champion New England Patriots in Santa Clara.

Ahead of Sunday’s big game between two NFC West rivals, many had questioned if this postseason run was going to be the last for 37-year-old Stafford, who already tasted Super Bowl glory back in 2021.

But retirement, it seems, is out of the question.

Matthew Stafford made retirement decision ahead of Seahawks showdown

According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Rams quarterback still believes he has ‘good football left’ and wants to return in 2026.

“Given his age, you have to wonder what comes next for Matthew Stafford,” Rapoport told the Insiders on January 26.

“My understanding, though, is that Stafford has told people close to him that he still has some good football left, telling them no matter what, he wants to be back next year.

“This was before the Rams went on a run and ended up in the NFC Championship Game. No one knows for sure… if the Rams win the Super Bowl, does Matthew Stafford walk away?

“But we know he believes he has plenty left.”

Rapoport’s update should silence the whispers around Stafford and his future, and playoff heartbreak could fuel him for 2026.

The veteran, who will turn 38 on the eve of Super Bowl LX, was said to have been weighing up retirement 12 months ago.

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When the Rams were beaten by the Philadelphia Eagles in January 2025, he told reporters he would ‘take some time to think about’ returning to the field.

Stafford, of course, came back — and he put together an MVP season in Los Angeles.

He led the NFL in both passing yards (4,707) and touchdowns (46) as the Rams finished 12-5 to make the postseason.

Matthew Stafford’s strong season ends in playoff heartbreak

Big wins on the road against the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears followed in the NFL playoffs, to set up a showdown with the Seahawks on Sunday night.

Despite playing well at Lumen Field, he couldn’t lift Los Angeles to victory.

Stafford went 22/35 for 374 yards and three touchdowns, but it wasn’t quite enough against a high-scoring Seattle offense that was spear-headed by Darnold.

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He emptied the tank and gave it all he could, but was denied that elusive second Super Bowl appearance.

Stafford will likely be back for 2026, and will no doubt dream of going one step further.

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