Matthew Staffordâs future is once again the most significant storyline for the Los Angeles Rams, and it will remain that way at least until the three-time Pro Bowler announces his decision for the 2026 season.
Staffordâs tone on the issue compared to last season has shifted early on in the offseason.
As if his performance on the field during the 2025 campaign did not do enough, one of Staffordâs former teammates, Rams icon Aaron Donald, made the magnitude of that decision crystal clear.
Aaron Donald Praises Ramsâ Matthew Stafford
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams leaves the field after a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals.
Stafford and Donald won the Super Bowl together with the Rams in 2021, and the latter retired two seasons later. Donald has seen Stafford play well enough to win it all, and he still raved about the campaign the veteran passer just had.
Stafford led the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns and is the betting favorite to win MVP.
Though the Rams fell short of their team goal, Donald lauded their efforts and how well Stafford played en route to the NFC Championship Game, where he also âplayed lights out.â
âAs long as you got that guy on the field, you got a opportunity to get it done. All you got to do is give him an opportunity,â Donald said on the âInner Circleâ podcast on January 28. âYou never know what can happen, man. But heâs a special, special talent. … I just texted him yesterday, and I just told him, âMan, hell of a game, hell of a season, and Iâm proudâ of him.
âNow, as a Rams fan on the sidelines, it was fun to watch them guys work, watch him work. And if you ask me, come honors, heâll probably be holding the MVP trophy this year. So, he earned it. He put the body of work in.â
Donald acknowledged it was the âgoalâ that Stafford and the Rams had of winning the Super Bowl, but said, âyou got to talk all your little wins, too.â
Donald also believes Stafford stamped his pass to the Hall of Fame.
âI think he kind ofâ¦answered that question with, âClose your mouth and just watch. Put the film on,â and let his game speak, and he and he did that,â Donald told the panel, which included his agent Todd France and sportscaster Zach Klein.
Aaron Donald Expects Matthew Stafford to Play in 2026
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before a game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Donald spoke candidly about his decision being due to a lack of âpassionâ after the game was no longer âfunâ for him. Rather than continue to suit up, which Donald said he felt that it would have been a âdisserviceâ to the game, he walked away.
However, Donald does not believe that will be the case for Stafford. Not yet, at least.
âIf you ask me, the way he played this year, MVP-type season, I think he got one more left,â Donald told France and Klein. âI think. Now, he ainât tell me nothing. But if I had to assume, I think he comes back for another season. But thatâs his decision to make, right? Weâre going to see. Only time will tell.â
Donald asserted the difficulty of making such a decision and how Stafford has time on his side to do so. The only deadline is March 15, when his $40 million salary for 2026 will become fully guaranteed.
âSleep on it, think about it, talk to his family about it. Make a decision with him, his wife, and see what best fits him and what he wants to do. So, itâs not an easy process to do. Not an easy decision, definitely when youâve been playing 17 seasons. And, like I said, having the season he had this year, MVP this year. If you ask me, I think he will be the MVP, so. Itâll be hard to walk away. I think I think he still got some stuff left that he wants to do, and accomplish, and with this team.â
The Rams will readily welcome Stafford back into the fold next season. They will also still be on the hook for a portion of his salary if he retires.
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