Matthew Stafford guided the Rams to victory in Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium two years ago.
The NFL declared on Wednesday that the Rams’ home field will play host to Super Bowl LXI, which will conclude the 2026–2027 season.
Does 36-year-old Stafford plan to continue playing for the Rams?
With a laugh, he said, “I have no idea.” he said. “That’s quite a distance away.”
However, Stafford would be happy to return to his home stadium for another Super Bowl game.
“Yes,” he replied, “It was really cool. Being able to do that at home is a special experience. It was enjoyable completing it at our place, though I’m not sure how it would go elsewhere.”
The Rams extended Stafford’s contract through 2026 after winning the Super Bowl, but his pay for the remaining two years isn’t guaranteed.
Stafford is still attempting to get the Rams into the NFC playoffs. The Rams take on the Washington Commanders at home on Sunday with a record of 6-7.
The Rams are still vying for a wild-card spot despite losing to the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday, 37-31 in overtime. They also play the New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, and New Orleans Saints.
The three-game winning streak prior to the loss to the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens was largely attributed to Stafford’s exceptional play since his right thumb injury. The game ended with a punt return for a touchdown by the Ravens, and Stafford did not drop a pass. Without throwing an interception, he completed 294 yards and three touchdown passes.
Stafford has completed the season with 19 touchdowns and 9 interceptions after throwing for 10 touchdowns and one interception in the last three games.
This week, coach Sean McVay said, “He’s played like Matthew. He plays really well, and it’s evident that he’s in good health. Guys are vying for him and around him, and he has excellent control over what he observes.
“The forwards are giving it their all for him, and when he plays like the Matthew Stafford of the world, he leads like the guy we all know and love.”
According to tackle Joe Noteboom, Stafford, a 15-year veteran, “knows everything” about the offense and can make plays both out of and in the pocket.
“His confidence makes you want to block harder for him,” Noteboom said, “because if you do, you know he’s going to make something happen.”
Stafford connected for touchdowns with tight end Davis Allen, receiver Demarcus Robinson, and receiver Cooper Kupp against the Ravens.
In the fourth quarter, Stafford and receiver Puka Nacua collaborated on an incredible play. Robinson’s touchdown was set up by Nacua’s diving catch.
Stafford claimed that passing through confined spaces requires a “competitive fire.” Nonetheless, he made some of his best plays against the Ravens when he chose to waste passes when the circumstances called for it.
“That play to Puka, [you] trust one in there to a small spot, 40 yards away on the other side or whatever it is,” Stafford said. “And then on the next play, if it’s not there, you gotta find it in you to not try and make that same play — and maybe throw it away. … Definitely have thrown some away that I feel like have helped us in the long run.”
One of the best defenses in the NFL belonged to the Ravens. The Commanders defense, which allows the fewest points and passing yards per game in the NFL (30.4 and 266 respectively), will now be faced by the Rams.
Especially since Ron Rivera, the coach of the Commanders, has replaced fired defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio in calling plays, McVay stated that he does not “put too much merit into that kind of stuff.”
Stafford expects a challenge as well.
“It’s going to look different every single week,” he said. “And you watch the landscape of the league, the way games are being played, I mean it’s anybody’s game at any moment.”