Coming off MVP season, Rams QB Matthew Stafford considered retirement because of family

Matthew Stafford's MVP Season Prompted Family Decision to Continue Playing Career

The Los Angeles Rams quarterback made a heartfelt announcement earlier this week, assuring fans that he won't be hanging up his cleats anytime soon. Standing on stage with his four daughters at the NFL Honors, where he received the prestigious MVP award, Stafford revealed his decision to return for what would be his 18th season in the league.

The 38-year-old quarterback attributed his change of heart to family considerations rather than a decline in performance. With a remarkable regular season that saw him throw 46 touchdowns and boast an impressive passer rating of 109.2, he's clearly still among the best in the business. However, what weighed more heavily on his mind was how much time he'd have to spend with his loved ones.

"Family is crucial to me," Stafford said, visibly moved by the prospect of missing precious moments with his daughters. "This game takes a lot out of you, but I want to be as big a part of their life as possible." He acknowledged that family support was indispensable in making this decision, stating, "If they weren't behind me, I wouldn't do it."

Stafford's love for the game is undeniable, and he plans to continue reaping its rewards. With sixth-all-time ranking among passing yards (64,516) and seventh among touchdown passes (423), there's still a lot he can achieve on the field. The Rams will likely be counting on him as they aim to take their next step towards title contention.

As for his storied rivalry with the Chicago Bears – with whom Stafford holds a 13-10 record, including playoff games – it seems this won't be their final meeting. With the playoffs looming, the stage is set for another thrilling chapter in this ongoing saga between two teams and one quarterback's unyielding dedication to family and football alike.

I gotta respect Matt Stafford's decision to keep playing, fam! His love for the game is still real and his family comes first, you feel me? Four little ones to take care of, can't blame him for wanting to be there for every milestone . He's still got it, too - 109.2 passer rating? That's insane! Not sure about the playoffs tho, Bears are gonna bring their A-game and I'm hyped for that rivalry renewal #MattStafford #NFL #FamilyFirst

Matthew Stafford's decision to keep playing feels super genuine. Family really matters to him, and it's awesome that he's prioritizing that right now . I mean, who wouldn't want more time with their mini-me's ? It's all about balance, you know? And his love for the game is still burning strong . Bring on the playoffs and those epic battles against the Bears!

man I love how matty stafford is putting his fam first now that he got that mvp award lol it wasnt like hes gonna retire or anything, all the haters were saying he was done but now he'll get to spend more time with his daughters which is everything i think its awesome he's still got the skills and can lead the rams to another championship season

I'm soooo stoked for Matthew Stafford ! He's clearly a dedicated dad , but also still got it on the field ! I mean, 46 touchdowns is no joke , and he's only 38 – that's like Tom Brady in his prime, but without the, you know, prime . The Rams are gonna be so lucky to have him leading their team for another season ! And can we talk about how adorable it is that he's got four little mini-me's running around at home ? That family support is real , and I love that he's prioritizing what really matters – his girls . Bring on the playoffs, baby!

I'm low-key surprised Stafford decided to keep going... like his stats are insane 46 TDs and a passer rating of 109.2 ! He's got some serious sauce And with his fam being super supportive, it makes sense he'd wanna stick around for a bit longer But I gotta wonder, how much more time can this man keep throwing those touchdowns? Like, is there a limit to how many seasons you can play at an MVP level? Also, did they do some poll or survey about fans wanting him to retire already? Would've been interesting to see the results

I'm not buying that Stafford's decision to keep playing was just about spending time with his daughters... I mean, have you seen his schedule? He's got like 17 more games left in the season! That's a pretty convenient excuse if you ask me. And what about all the times he's been injured and had to miss games? Was that just a coincidence or was there something more going on? Maybe he's trying to get more playoff experience under his belt... I don't know, but my gut tells me there's more to this story than meets the eye.

I'm so stoked for Matt Stafford! He's clearly got a lot of heart when it comes to his family, and I love how he's making time for the people who matter most. 18 seasons is no joke, but if being with his girls means more to him than throwing touchdowns, then I say go him! The Rams are gonna need all the help they can get if they wanna take down their rivals this season. And let's be real, a Stafford vs Bears game is always a must-see

I'm low-key impressed by Matthew Stafford's commitment to his family . It's easy to get caught up in stats and accolades, but at the end of the day, he's thinking about what matters most – being present for his kids . I hope the Rams are prepared for another intense playoff run with their leader at the helm !

omg yaaas matthew stafford i'm so hyped he's gonna come back 4 more seasons!! my fav QB his fam is def the real MVP lol his daughters are literally the cutest & i love how he prioritizes them over a few more yrs of playing i know some ppl might say he's old but stafford's still throwing 46 td's at 38 & that's like, insane!!! i mean yeah he might not be as spry as he used 2 b but he's got the brains & skill 2 outsmart all the young QBs bring on the playoffs & more stafford magic

I'm so glad Matthew Stafford decided to prioritize his family! I mean, 18 seasons in the league is a long time, and it's awesome that he's putting his loved ones first. As someone who's passionate about mindfulness, I know how important it is to find balance in life. And for Stafford, that means spending quality time with his daughters rather than just playing football.

I'm also loving the idea of him still having so much to give on the field! He's got some amazing stats and a reputation as one of the top QBs in the league. But at the end of the day, it's about what's truly important: his family. I wish more people could learn from Stafford's example and prioritize their loved ones too!

I'm totally getting why Matt Stafford wants to keep playing! Being a dad can be tough enough, but imagine missing out on your little ones' childhoods . He's got a good thing going with those four girls of his, and it's awesome he's prioritizing family time. 18 more years of gridiron greatness isn't too much to ask for the love of the game . Plus, at 38, he's still in top shape , so I'm all for him taking on whatever the season throws his way . Bring it on, Bears!

Matthews gotta do wha' his heart says ! Family first, fam ! I mean, who wouldn't wanna spend more time with their mini-me's ‍? He's already proven he can still bring it on the field (46 touchdowns !), so now it's all about makin' those memories last a lifetime . I'm low-key hyped for him and the Rams to make a deep playoff run !

Man, I gotta say, Matthew Stafford's decision to continue playing is a huge lesson for us all... about putting relationships first. We're always so focused on chasing our dreams, our careers, our goals, but sometimes it's the people around us who truly matter. Stafford's willingness to prioritize his family's happiness over his own athletic ambitions is something we can all learn from . It's not always easy to make sacrifices and put others before ourselves, but trust me, it's worth it in the long run. Let's take a page out of Stafford's playbook and remember that sometimes, the greatest victories are the ones we win with our loved ones by our side .

I feel bad for Matthew Stafford's daughters, they must've been his biggest concern - he can't miss out on so much of their childhood just because he wants to play football . 18 more seasons is crazy, though! The guy's still got it . It's awesome that he prioritized family over the fear of missing out, now we get to see him go for another ring . Rams are gonna be a force to reckon with this season .

I'm kinda surprised he'd change his mind so quickly after winning that MVP award . I mean, it's not like he was considering retirement or anything. He actually said it's about spending time with the fam, which is super sweet . His kids are probably gonna be living vicariously through him for a few more years, haha . The thing is, can we really blame him? Four daughters and all that love in his life... he's got to be ready for game-day babysitting duties 10 times a week . Anyway, should be an epic season with Stafford back on the field

I'm so stoked that Matthew Stafford decided to stick with it ! I mean, he's still got game, right? 46 touchdowns and a passer rating of 109.2 is no joke. But you can tell it wasn't just about him, it was about his fam too . I love how he said family support meant the world to him. That's what it's all about, you know? He wants to be there for his daughters and make memories with them. And let's be real, he's not getting any younger, so time is of the essence . But hey, as long as he's still throwing TDs and having fun, I'm all for it ! The Rams are gonna be tough to beat with him leading the charge . Bring on the playoffs, this guy's gonna bring some excitement !

I'm so stoked for Matthew Stafford! 18 seasons of playing in the NFL is a huge achievement, but it's even more amazing that he's choosing his family over anything else . I mean, can you blame him? His daughters are literally going to be growing up too fast if he hangs up his cleats now . It's awesome that he has such an amazing support system from them - it makes total sense why he'd want to keep playing for a little while longer . And let's be real, the guy's still got game ! He's still throwing touchdowns like it's 2019 and his passer rating is insane . Bring on the playoffs and another epic season from Stafford - I'm hyped!

I'm not surprised Stafford decided to keep playing... at 38, he's still throwing TDs like a pro! But seriously, it's awesome that family came first for him – those kiddos are lucky to have such a supportive dad . It's also pretty cool that he's still got some fire in the tank, he's gonna be a great competitor in the playoffs . Plus, can you imagine how epic it'll be when he faces off against his old Bears squad again?

i think its awesome that stafford put his fam first he played an incredible season but lets be real its not like he was gonna hang up his cleats if the team wanted him to lol what im more curious about is how his daughters are taking this new reality of having a pro dad i hope they get to enjoy some of his games and maybe even meet other cool players in the league