Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford led the team to the NFC Championship game on Sunday, Jan. 25, and it was close, but the Rams fell with a 31-27 final score.
So, the Rams have officially been in the offseason since that game wrapped up, and Stafford is making a retirement decision as to whether he’ll stay in the NFL for another season.
“It’ll be a lot that goes into it,” Stafford said of his retirement decision on the Let’s Go! podcast with Jim Gray on Thursday, January 29. “It’s a physical, a mental and emotional decision, a personal and a family decision, as well. So, we’ll figure all that kind of stuff out with some time.”
He added that he’s taking his time making the decision and that “when I’m ready to figure that out, I’ll be ready to figure that out.”
But, Stafford has made one big decision, and that’s to not appear at the 2026 Pro Bowl. On Sunday, Feb. 1, news developed that Stafford was dropping out of this year’s event.
“Matthew Stafford was one of four Los Angeles Rams players selected to the 2026 Pro Bowl Games this year but he won’t be participating – despite being named a starter for the NFC squad,” Cameron DaSilva of the Rams Wire reported. “He’s dropped out of the Pro Bowl and been replaced by Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.”
No reason was given for why Stafford is sitting out the event, but he’s had a long season, so he deserves a break. During the 2025-26 regular season, Stafford led the Los Angeles Rams to a 12-5 record while throwing for 4,707 yards, 46 touchdowns and only eight interceptions, according to NFL research.
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Following the Seahawks’ loss to the Rams in the NFC Championship, Stafford praised his opponents. “It was a battle the whole game,” he said, according to the team’s official transcript. “It wasn’t like we were all just waiting for one play here or there. There was a million plays in a football game that can turn the tide and we had our opportunities, didn’t make them.”
Head coach Sean McVay was emotional after the game, stating, “I think the finality of all of it when you don’t allow yourself to even think about anything other than just advancing, I felt like we were going to be the team on that podium and we weren’t, and you give Seattle the credit, but I love this group and I’m never really short on words, and I am right now.”
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Stafford’s season isn’t quite over yet. He’s also up for the highly coveted NFL MVP award, which will be announced in February.
