• Matthew Stafford declined to address whether he will play next season after the Rams’ 31-27 NFC title-game loss to the Seahawks.
  • Rams coach Sean McVay said Stafford could still play if he wants and praised his MVP-level season.
  • Stafford, 37, just completed his 17th NFL season and is under contract through 2026 after a February rework.

Stafford declines to discuss his future

SEATTLE — Minutes after the Los Angeles Rams fell 31-27 to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game, veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford refused to say whether he planned to play next season.

“I can’t generalize six months of my life 10 minutes after a loss,” Stafford said. “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.”

McVay praises Stafford, deflects retirement questions

Rams head coach Sean McVay pushed back on the idea that Stafford’s future should be a question right now. When asked whether he expected Stafford to be back, McVay answered, “Yeah, if he still wants to play. The hell kind of question is that?”

On whether Stafford wants to continue, McVay said, “You’ll have to ask him.” He also praised Stafford’s performance this season: “I know that if he wants to, he’s still playing at a pretty damn good clip. I mean, he’s the MVP of the league and if he’s not … I got respect for everybody else, but this guy played at a level that’s just different.”

Contract status and context

Stafford, 37, completed his 17th NFL season. He remains under contract with the Rams through the 2026 season after the team and Stafford agreed to a reworked deal in February.

That contractual security does not eliminate questions about Matthew Stafford retirement, but both player and coach signaled they would not make a decision or announce plans in the immediate emotional aftermath of the loss.

What comes next

Stafford and the Rams will have months to evaluate the offseason, including health, roster construction and Stafford’s own appetite to play another season. For now, Stafford kept the focus on his teammates and the season they completed together rather than on his personal timeline.

“We’ve been totally present,” McVay said. The team and its veteran quarterback will sort through next steps in the weeks and months ahead, but Stafford offered no hint about retirement in the postgame locker room in Seattle.

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