“New Heights” LA Rams QB Matthew Stafford Drops Retirement Bombshell
Entering the offseason, there was some uncertainty about whether former Detroit Lions and current Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford would stay in L.A. or move on.
With veteran quarterbacks in high demand this year, Stafford had the option to take his talents elsewhere and potentially finish his career with a third team. However, on February 28, he and the Rams agreed to continue their partnership, officially securing Stafford for another season.
Stafford made a surprise appearance on the Wednesday, March 13 episode of the “New Heights” podcast with Jason and Travis Kelce. During the show, he discussed his team and shared unexpected news about how long he plans to continue playing in the NFL.
Former Lions QB Matthew Stafford Wants to Be With the Rams Past 2025
Stafford expressed his excitement about returning to the Rams, stating that he hopes to stay with the team beyond just one more season. For those who expected him to retire after the 2025 season, that assumption may be far from accurate.
“In the end, I know that they wanted me back. I wanted to be back,” Stafford said on the show. “We just had to kind of figure that out and get to that point. We did, and I’m sure as hell happy that I’m going to be here for at least another year and hopefully some after that.”
Statistically, Stafford continues to perform at a high level. In 2024, he surpassed Eli Manning to rank 10th all-time in both career passing yards and career passing touchdowns. He currently boasts 59,809 passing yards and 377 touchdown passes.
Matthew Stafford Talks Cooper Kupp
Shifting focus, when the Rams informed star receiver Cooper Kupp that he would be traded during the offseason, Matthew Stafford’s wife, Kelly, voiced her concerns on her podcast, The Morning After, saying she didn’t think it was a wise move.
“My husband wants to win,” Kelly said. “He’s not trying to put his team in a bad situation.” She continued, “I will say the trading away of Cooper, I guess I’m just a little, I’m confused. Because we were one play away from going to the NFC Championship, and I think if we go, we win.”
When Stafford was asked about Kupp on the New Heights podcast, he acknowledged how difficult the situation was. “I ran into (Kupp) right kind of when they told him the news that they were talking about trading him. You know, obviously, that one’s tough, especially for a guy that’s meant so much to me in my career and how he helped me get in with the Rams.”
He went on to emphasize Kupp’s impact both on and off the field, saying, “I’ve spent a lot of time with him, and he’s meant a ton to me as a player but even more as a person. He’s a fantastic player; he means a ton to our team, but just as a human being, as a person, he’s as good as it gets.”
Stafford also made it clear that he would love the chance to continue playing alongside Kupp.
