Matthew Stafford, at 37 years old, has earned the NFL MVP award, positioning himself among the oldest players to achieve this distinction in league history. His performance this season stood out, leading to his first-ever MVP recognition, further cementing his place among elite quarterbacks in the NFL.
Standout Season Highlights for Stafford
Stafford delivered arguably the best year of his career by throwing 46 touchdown passes—the highest in the NFL—while limiting interceptions to just eight. He topped the league in passing yards with 4,707 and was named First-Team All-Pro for the first time in his career. His leadership guided the Los Angeles Rams to a 12-5 record.
Although the Rams narrowly missed out on a Super Bowl appearance, losing a close 31-27 game against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship, Stafford’s achievements were unmistakable, securing the 2025 NFL MVP award.
Tom Brady Holds the Record as Oldest NFL MVP
Tom Brady remains the oldest player to claim the NFL MVP award, winning it at age 40 during the 2017 season—his third MVP trophy. Brady threw 32 touchdown passes that year, propelling the New England Patriots to a strong 13-3 record. Despite reaching Super Bowl LII, the Patriots fell 41-33 to the Philadelphia Eagles, with Brady recording 505 passing yards and three touchdowns in that game.
Aaron Rodgers’ Late-Career MVP Wins
Aaron Rodgers ranks as the second-oldest MVP winner, capturing the honor twice at ages 37 and 38. He first earned the MVP in 2020 by throwing 48 touchdowns and then repeated in 2021 with 37 touchdown passes, while leading the Green Bay Packers to 13 victories in both seasons. Nonetheless, neither campaign culminated in a Super Bowl appearance, with the Packers losing in playoff rounds during each year.
Recent MVPs Have All Been Quarterbacks
Quarterbacks have dominated recent MVP awards, as no other position has won since running back Adrian Peterson secured the honor in 2012 after a 2,097-yard rushing season. The sustained quarterback dominance highlights the critical role of passing leaders like Stafford, Rodgers, and Brady in shaping modern NFL successes.
Historic List of Oldest NFL MVP Winners
Matthew Stafford, tied for third place as one of the oldest MVP recipients at 37, joins legendary figures like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers in this exclusive category. Brady leads the list at 40 years old with Rodgers following closely. Stafford’s achievement underscores how seasoned quarterbacks can reach peak performance levels even late into their careers.
This trend places Stafford alongside some of the NFL’s most iconic players, reflecting the increasing longevity and continued elite play among senior quarterbacks.
