Matthew Stafford earned the NFL MVP award on Thursday night, concluding one of the closest races in league history. At 37 years old, he became one of the oldest players to receive the honor. ESPN analyst Ryan Clark immediately praised Stafford’s achievement, stating it firmly establishes him among the top quarterbacks ever.
Analyst Ryan Clark Praises Stafford’s Career and Hall of Fame Status
Ryan Clark declared on First Take,
“It solidifies him as a first-ballot Hall of Famer. It puts him in the top 10 of quarterbacks that’s ever played this game. … They absolutely got it right with Matthew Stafford, and his career, to me, is now solidified in a way it never would have been had he stayed in Detroit.”
These remarks emphasize the impact of Stafford’s late-career resurgence and his legacy potential.
Career Resurgence after Moving to the Rams
Stafford’s relocation to the Los Angeles Rams in 2021 marked a major turning point. During his 12 seasons with the Detroit Lions, the team drafted him first overall in 2009, he achieved one Pro Bowl selection and appeared in three playoffs but never advanced beyond the Wild Card round. His lone 5,000-yard passing season came in 2011, the same year he was named AP Comeback Player of the Year, despite his teams’ struggles.
With the Rams, Stafford’s career flourished: leading the team to a 12-5 record and a Super Bowl victory in 2021. In 2023, he earned another Pro Bowl nod and finished eighth in MVP voting. This season, he guided the Rams to the NFC Championship Game and was rewarded with his first All-Pro selection.
Stafford’s Place Among NFL Passing Legends
Currently, Stafford ranks sixth in career passing yards. While Aaron Rodgers holds fifth with four MVPs, four All-Pro honors, and a Super Bowl MVP, and Ben Roethlisberger is seventh with two Super Bowl titles, Stafford’s overall numbers outpace those of other notable quarterbacks like Dan Marino, Eli Manning, John Elway, and Joe Montana. However, those four have a combined six first-team All-Pro selections, three MVP awards, and eight Super Bowl rings.
The Growing Debate on Stafford’s Legacy
Stafford’s MVP win has intensified discussions about where he stands among football’s all-time greats. His productive late-career surge with the Rams contrasts with earlier years marked by limited team success. Analysts like Ryan Clark believe this award elevates his résumé enough to warrant first-ballot Hall of Fame consideration, a viewpoint that could influence how future voters assess Stafford’s entire career arc.
"It solidifies him as a first ballot Hall of Famer. It puts him in the top 10 of quarterbacks that's ever played this game."
—@Realrclark25 on Matthew Stafford winning NFL MVP pic.twitter.com/abjHp0ppIh
— First Take (@FirstTake) February 6, 2026
