Matthew Stafford confirmed he will return to the Los Angeles Rams for the 2026 NFL season during the NFL Honors event held on February 5 at The Palace of Fine Arts in California. The veteran quarterback, freshly named league MVP, surprised fans and teammates by announcing his decision to delay retirement and play another season.
After accepting his first-ever MVP trophy, Stafford, dressed sharply in black tuxedo attire, addressed the audience with gratitude before concluding his speech with a decisive statement:
“I’ll see you guys next year.”
This declaration incited an immediate, enthusiastic response from the crowd. Rams head coach Sean McVay and running back Kyren Williams visibly celebrated the announcement, signaling strong support throughout the team for Stafford’s announced return.
Sean McVay’s Endorsement of Stafford’s Continued Career
Weeks before the announcement, on January 25, Sean McVay expressed confidence that Stafford still had much to offer. McVay emphasized the quarterback’s sustained elite performance and reassured the public that the Rams would welcome Stafford back if he so wished to continue playing.
“Yeah, I mean, if he still wants to play, what the hell kind of question is that? We’ve been totally present, and I know that if he wants to, he’s still playing at a pretty good clip. I mean, he’s the MVP of the league. I got respect for everybody else, but this guy has played at a level that’s just different.” – Sean McVay, Rams Head Coach
Stafford’s MVP-Winning Season Overview
Matthew Stafford’s 2025-26 campaign was among the finest of his 17-year NFL career, spanning two franchises—the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams. During this season, Stafford completed 388 passes out of 597 attempts, leading the league with 4,707 passing yards. He threw 46 touchdowns with only eight interceptions, showcasing exceptional efficiency and leadership on the field.
Despite the Rams narrowly missing a second Super Bowl appearance, falling to rivals Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship game, Stafford’s individual excellence stood out, earning him his first All-Pro honor. This performance capped a career highlighted by a Super Bowl win in 2021, Stafford’s inaugural year with the Rams.
“THAT’S, MVP MATTHEW STAFFORD, TO YOU!” – Los Angeles Rams Official Twitter
The Tense MVP Race and Voting Results
The MVP voting was highly competitive, with Matthew Stafford edging out New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye by a single vote, 24 to 23. Maye’s campaign had the advantage of an easier schedule compared to the Rams, who faced a challenging slate including teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, and Philadelphia Eagles.
Other contenders included Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who received two votes, and Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, who earned one. The narrow margin underscored the debate around the most valuable player award in a season marked by intense performances across multiple teams.
NFL MVP voting:Matthew Stafford: 24Drake Maye: 23Josh Allen: 2Justin Herbert: 1Wow. – @mysportsupdate
Stafford’s Place in Offensive Player of the Year Voting
In addition to the MVP honor, Stafford was also considered for the Offensive Player of the Year award, in which he finished sixth with three votes. This category was led by Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who received 14 votes, followed by Christian McCaffrey with 12 votes and Stafford’s Rams teammate, wide receiver Puka Nacua, who took third place with eight votes.
Offensive Player of the Year voting:Jaxon Smith-Njigba: 14Christian McCaffrey: 12Puka Nacua: 8Bijan Robinson: 6Drake Maye: 5Matthew Stafford: 3Josh Allen: 1Trey McBride: 1 – @mysportsupdate
Nacua contributed significantly to the Rams offense with 129 receptions, 1,715 yards, and 10 touchdowns, making him an important figure alongside Stafford as both prepare for the upcoming season.
Next Season’s Outlook with Stafford and the Rams
Stafford’s decision to return injects renewed confidence into the Rams’ 2026 campaign. With key players like Kyren Williams and Puka Nacua already excited for the upcoming season, the Rams are positioned to contend once again. The season will include a high-profile matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia, marking the NFL’s first-ever game on the continent.
Williams, who has appeared visibly thrilled by Stafford’s return, signals the importance of the quarterback’s leadership in driving the team’s ambitions forward as they target postseason success. Stafford’s continuation promises to sustain the momentum built over recent years and reinforce the Rams’ status as elite competitors in the league.
"So I'll see you guys next year."
Matthew Stafford is coming back next season 🔥
NFL Honors on NBC/NFL Network
Stream on @NFLPlus & Peacock pic.twitter.com/sWtZcmrnKk— NFL (@NFL) February 6, 2026
THAT’S, MVP MATTHEW STAFFORD, TO YOU! pic.twitter.com/l8c0ONDJht
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) February 6, 2026
NFL MVP voting:
Matthew Stafford: 24
Drake Maye: 23
Josh Allen: 2
Justin Herbert: 1— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 6, 2026
Offensive Player of the Year voting:
Jaxon Smith-Njigba: 14
Christian McCaffrey: 12
Puka Nacua: 8
Bijan Robinson: 6
Drake Maye: 5
Matthew Stafford: 3
Josh Allen: 1
Trey McBride: 1 https://t.co/XLXZJlpwYD— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 6, 2026
