Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Report tips Rams QB Matthew Stafford's plans for 2026

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jan 26, 2026 8:03 AM ET

Like fine wines, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford keeps growing better with age.

Stafford, who turns 38 on Feb. 7, led the NFL in passing yards (4,707) and passing touchdowns (46) during the regular season. For his efforts, he was named a league MVP finalist for the first time in his career.

Stafford reportedly believes he'll keep aging gracefully in 2026. Before the NFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, NFL Media insider Ian Rapoport shared the QB plans to play in 2026.

"Stafford has told people close to him that he believes he has good football left, and no matter what, he wants to be back next year," Rapoport said on "NFL GameDay."

From @NFLGameDay Morning: #Rams QB Matthew Stafford believes he has good football left in him; Plus the #Seahawks pulled off the trade of the year by getting Rashid Shaheed. pic.twitter.com/2BRLtyRWNZ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 25, 2026

What does Matthew Stafford's expected return mean for the Rams?

Surely, the Rams would welcome a Stafford return. Since they acquired him in a trade with the Detroit Lions before the 2021 season, he has made two of his three Pro Bowls, posted a 46-28 regular-season record and led the franchise to its second Super Bowl title.

More importantly, L.A. has no clear succession plan for Stafford. Backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo enters free agency this offseason, and QB3 Stetson Bennett hasn't thrown a pass in a regular-season game in three seasons with the team.

Don't count on L.A. finding the heir apparent to Stafford in the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled April 23-25. With Oregon QB Dante Moore recently confirming he's returning to school, the class looks even thinner at the most important position.

The Rams and Stafford may have to revise his contract again. This past offseason, the club rewarded him with a new two-year, $80M contract with $40M in guaranteed money (via Over the Cap). Consequently, his 2026 cap number is $48.266M. L.A. must find a way to lower that.

The Rams and Stafford must find the right numbers this upcoming offseason, but both parties will likely be more than willing to do that. The QB remaining in L.A. should keep the team in championship contention in 2026, even if the 2009 first-round pick is entering the latter stages of his career.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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