• Stafford declined to confirm whether he will play next season after the Rams’ NFC title loss.
  • The 37-year-old is under contract with the Rams through 2026 after a reworked deal last February.
  • Coach Sean McVay praised Stafford’s play and said he expects Stafford back if he wants to continue.
  • Stafford said it’s ‘too soon’ to summarize six months of his life 10 minutes after a loss.

H2: Stafford stays noncommittal about retirement after NFC Championship

LOS ANGELES/SEATTLE — Matthew Stafford declined to discuss whether he will return for another season after the Los Angeles Rams’ 31-27 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday. The veteran quarterback, in his 17th NFL season, said it was too soon to decide while emotions remained raw.

“I can’t generalize six months of my life 10 minutes after a loss,” Stafford said after the game. “So I appreciate the guys in this locker room a whole hell of a lot. Everybody that helped me and helped our team be the success that we were this year. And that’s all I’ll answer for you.”

H3: Contract status and context

Stafford, 37, is under contract with the Rams through the 2026 season after he and the team agreed to a reworked deal last February. That contract gives the Rams and Stafford options as the offseason begins, but the quarterback offered no immediate hint about his plans beyond praising his teammates and the season they produced.

H3: Sean McVay’s reaction — praise and a question back

Rams head coach Sean McVay pushed back at reporters when asked if he expected Stafford to return. “Yeah, if he still wants to play. The hell kind of question is that?” McVay said. When asked whether Stafford wanted to play next season, McVay answered, “You’ll have to ask him.”

McVay lauded Stafford’s 2025–26 season, calling him the league MVP and saying the QB “played at a level that’s just different.” The coach emphasized the team has been fully present this postseason and left Stafford’s decision to the player.

H4: What this means for the Rams and the offseason

A potential Stafford retirement or extended absence would shape the Rams’ offseason planning. With Stafford under contract, the team can base decisions on his choice, but if he opts to step away, the Rams would face a quick shift to identify a starting quarterback or enter the draft/free-agent market.

H5: Watch the postgame clip

Embedded video: “Stafford mum on NFL future following season-ending loss” (0:43) — Watch on ESPN: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47731346/matthew-stafford-mum-future-rams-left-reeling-loss

H4: Bottom line

Stafford did not close the door on playing next season, but he also did not commit to continuing his career. With a contract running through 2026 and strong praise from his coach, the decision likely rests with Stafford and his family as the team and fans wait through the offseason for clarity.

Image Referance: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47731346/matthew-stafford-mum-future-rams-left-reeling-loss