Rams QB Matthew Stafford closing in on rare feat

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has had his Hall of Fame case heavily debated for years. He hasn't won at the level many of the top names enshrined in Canton did, but his impressive career numbers cannot be denied. The two-time Pro Bowler is on the verge of accomplishing a feat reached by only a handful of legendary quarterbacks.

Stafford has spent his entire NFL career in the NFC, but a mid-career trade from his long-tenured Detroit Lions presented him with a unique opportunity: A chance to defeat every team in the league. Now, after the Rams' victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, the 17-year veteran has just one team left to beat — the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Matthew Stafford must extend his career to achieve history

Following another solid campaign for L.A. in 2024, Stafford was gifted a two-year, $84 million contract, a deal that would presumedly have taken him through the end of his career. But looking at the Rams' upcoming schedule, Stafford may reconsider his retirement plan. 

Stafford's deal takes him through the end of the 2026 season. With a matchup against the Steelers slated for 2027, though, the 37-year-old could decide to play one more year with a prime opportunity to become the fifth quarterback in NFL history to defeat every team.

If Stafford and the Rams were to knock off Pittsburgh, he would join one of the sport's most exclusive groups. Tom Brady (2021), Peyton Manning (2014), Brett Favre (2009) and Drew Brees (2018) — all first ballot Hall of Famers — are the only others to complete the feat.

Even after his first Super Bowl victory in 2021, critics have pointed to Stafford's overall lack of career team success as the main reason to keep him out of the Hall. If Stafford manages to achieve this feat, defeat all 32 NFL teams, though, it'll be difficult to argue against his case for Canton.