Stafford led the league in passing yards and passing touchdowns, earned his first First-Team All-Pro nod, and closed the year as the betting favorite to win MVP. He faced strong competition from Drake Maye, Josh Allen, and Trevor Lawrence, ultimately earning the league’s top honor.
With the award, Stafford joined a short list of Rams MVPs: Kurt Warner (1999, 2001), Roman Gabriel (1969), and Marshall Faulk (2000) rounded out the franchise’s MVP lineage. He delivered a heartfelt, on-stage message thanking teammates, coaches, and his family for their support.
Ahead of the ceremony, Stafford’s family—wife Kelly and their four daughters—stole some of the spotlight on the red carpet, underscoring how central his family is to his decisions. During the speech and surrounding remarks, he indicated that retirement considerations would come in due time, saying he wanted to fully appreciate the 2025 season before making personal plans.
Rams head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead were hopeful Stafford would return but did not apply pressure, emphasizing they would support his decision. The MVP news shifts the Rams’ offseason focus to free agency and the upcoming draft as they prepare for the 2026 season.
Stafford’s post‑award stance reflects a deliberate approach to balancing a historic season with family considerations, leaving the Rams to navigate the next steps while they plot a path for the 2026 campaign.
