Matthew Stafford is heading into the 2026 NFL season with big expectations on his shoulders, but that's nothing new for the veteran quarterback. After what he pulled off last season, it's hard to argue with the fanfare he's getting. Fox Sports has named Stafford the No. 5 best player in the NFL heading into 2026, and frankly, it's not difficult to see why.
What Stafford did at 37 years old in 2025 was downright ridiculous. The season even started with a mysterious back injury that threatened to derail everything before it really got going. Instead, Stafford put together one of the best seasons of his career.
More sports: Jets Should Feel Good About Their Defense After Preseason Showing He threw for career highs in both passing yards and touchdown passes, finishing with 4,707 yards and 47 touchdowns. Even more impressive, he threw just eight interceptions. Also, he did it all at an age when most quarterbacks are already being asked whether they can keep up.
There's little reason to think Stafford will suddenly look different at 38, especially with the Rams still loaded around him. It definitely helps that Stafford is in a system that fits his talents so well, but the quarterback brings a lot to the table on his own. His arm remains super strong, his mechanics are picture-perfect and he's great at putting the football exactly where his receivers need it.
Sports news: Broncos QB Bo Nix Already Easing Concerns Heading Into 2026 Put that arm and football mind together with Sean McVay's system, and you've got a quarterback who could once again be in position to make a Super Bowl run. There's also a much bigger possibility sitting out there for Stafford. If everything goes right, he could make a run at becoming just the sixth player ever to win back-to-back MVPs.
That's a lofty goal for any player, let alone one entering his age-38 season. The biggest question isn't really whether Stafford can still play at an elite level. He showed exactly what he could do in 2025.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
