Matthew Stafford wins first NFL MVP award at 37
Matthew Stafford has claimed his maiden NFL Most Valuable Player award at the age of 37, edging out New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye by just a single first-place vote, reports BritPanorama.
The Los Angeles Rams signal-caller received the honour at Thursday evening’s NFL Honours ceremony, held at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. His achievement marks a historic milestone, as Stafford becomes the oldest quarterback ever to capture the MVP for the first time.
This award extends an impressive streak, representing the 13th consecutive season in which a quarterback has taken home the league’s most prestigious individual honour. Stafford’s 2025 campaign is the finest of his 17-year professional career, with the veteran passer leading the league in both passing yards and touchdowns.
He amassed 4,707 yards and 46 touchdown passes, a franchise record and personal best, while also maintaining a remarkably low total of eight interceptions. This performance earned him first-team All-Pro recognition, with Stafford becoming only the fourth quarterback in history to record at least 45 touchdown passes while keeping interceptions below double figures.
His passer rating of 109.2 represents a significant improvement over previous standout seasons, including his 2011 campaign with Detroit and his Super Bowl-winning year in 2021. The Rams finished the regular season 12-5 within a competitive NFC West before advancing to the conference championship game.
During his acceptance speech, Stafford addressed weeks of speculation about his playing future by confirming that he will return for an 18th NFL season in 2026. He declared, while standing alongside his four daughters, “I’ll see you guys next year.” This announcement prompted immediate celebration from head coach Sean McVay and teammates Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams, who leapt to their feet in the audience.
Stafford’s future had remained uncertain since the Rams’ narrow loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship game last month. He remains under contract with Los Angeles, with a salary cap figure of $48.3 million for the upcoming season. Stafford indicated that his family’s support has been crucial in his decision to continue his career, saying, “This game takes a lot out of you. If they weren’t supportive of me playing, I wouldn’t do it.”
With this MVP honour, Stafford joins an exclusive group of just 15 quarterbacks who possess both the league’s top individual award and a Super Bowl championship. Notably, 10 of the other 14 members of this group have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. However, in a sport where the future seems constantly in question, Stafford’s determination to return for another season adds a layer of intrigue to both his personal story and the upcoming NFL landscape.
