Matthew Stafford is having a Most Valuable Player-caliber 2025 NFL season as the Rams' quarterback. At age 37, in his 17th season, he's having the most efficient year of his career.
Even though Stafford leads the league in touchdown passes (27 to only 2 interceptions) going into Week 12 and has a stellar passer rating (112.17), there's a good chance he won't win MVP with stiff competition that includes Josh Allen (the 2024 winner), Drake Maye, Patrick Mahomes and Jonathan Taylor
In fact, there's a strong case against Stafford being the MVP when considering the true definition of the award. Stafford is putting up great numbers, but the Rams are also loaded with their best overall talent since their Super Bowl 56-winning run in 2021.
The Rams have two top wide receivers, rising third-year star Puka Nacua and prolific future Hall of Fame scorer Davante Adams. They have an elite offensive line plus one of the league's savviest and most productive workhorse running backs, Kyren Williams. They also have the game's foremost mastermind, Sean McVay, calling the plays.
The Rams also have been playing great defense with youngsters such as Byron Young and Jared Verse leading the way in the front seven. They are No. 2, behind only the Texans, in average points allowed.
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When looking at the "most valuable" part of the MVP, putting up the right numbers is only part of the equation. Stafford's stats are great but there is a better breakout story (see Maye) and an elite repeat narrative (Allen) at work for two QBs perceived to have a higher burden to help their team win games.
But one thing Stafford's stats this season have done for sure is put him over the top for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame after his long career is finished. Stafford, shocking to many, has only two Pro Bowl selections, no All-Pro nods and only one top-10 finish in MVP voting, No. 8. In 2023. He also has a Super Bowl ring, however, which is the most important Hall of Fame credential he has as a QB.
Here's breaking down Stafford's career for its Hall-of-Fame worthiness
Matthew Stafford's career stats, Hall of Fame case
| Statistic | Ranking |
| Regular-season starts | 232 (12th, ahead of John Elway) |
| Passing yards | 62,366 (9th, ahead of Dan Marino) |
| Passing touchdowns | 404 (9th, ahead of Matt Ryan) |
| Yards per attempt | 7.3 (53rd, tied with Dan Marino) |
| Passer rating | 92.1 (27th, just behind Joe Montana) |
| Interceptions | 190 (35th, fewer than Sammy Baugh) |
A big reason for Stafford for not getting much attention accolade-wise is the fact that he used to play for the losing Lions and was often overshadowed by top NFC passers such as Rodgers, Drew Brees, and Russell Wilson. But Stafford gets to 40 TD passes for the third time in 2025, he will be in an exclusive single-season club with only Rodgers and Brady, the two modern GOATs. Like Rodgers, Brees and Wilson, Stafford has his one ring, backed up by gaudy stats.
If Eli Manning deserves consideration for his longevity, personality and multiple Super Bowl rings despite mediocre regular-season numbers.(he does), then it would say that Stafford has been a much better passer for longer with one ring. Although a long shot, Stafford breaking through for MVP for the first time this late in his career would be something.
But in the bigger picture, Stafford needed to follow the Rams defensive-fueled (see Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey) in 2021, his first season in Los Angeles, with some strong follow-ups. After battling through an injury-riddled 2022, he was terrific in 2023. He started slowly in 2024, but ended up with a stronger finish than the year before.
In 2025, everything is coming together again. Between Nacua, Adams, Williams, the big-play extra wideouts and deep tight ends, the depth and talent of weapons for him has been great. He is somewhat the same QB from his best years with the Lions, but now there's a winning team pushing him to new heights.
Making the Hall requires standing out and being recognized among the league's best vs. His contemporaries. Regardless of whether he gets the MVP, Stafford should instead be fine settling for a bronze bust and gold jacket that immortalize his body of NFL work a lot more.