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Sara Barshop
Seattle–after Los Angeles Rams‘ 31-27 damage to Seattle Seahawks In Sunday’s NFC Championship Game, quarterback Matthew Stafford Declined to discuss whether he would return next season.
Stafford, 37, recently completed his 17th NFL season. He is under contract through the 2026 season after agreeing to a new contract last February.
“I can’t generalize six months of my life from 10 minutes after the loss,” Stafford said. “So I’m very appreciative of the guys in this locker room. Everyone helped me and helped our team have success this year. And that’s all I have to say to you.”
When asked after the game if he expected Stafford to return next season, Rams head coach Sean McVay said, “Yeah, if he still wants to play. What a weird question is that?”
When asked if Stafford wanted to play next season, McVay responded, “You’d have to ask him.”
“We are fully present,” McVay said. “I know if he wants to, he’s still playing at a very good clip. I mean, he’s the league’s MVP and if he’s not… I’ve got respect for everybody else, but this guy played at a level that’s just different.”
Stafford is coming off the best season of his career, finishing the regular season as the odds-on favorite to be named MVP after leading the league in passing yards (4,707) and passing touchdowns (46).
In Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks, Stafford completed 22 of 35 passes for 374 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Stafford’s three passing touchdowns tied a playoff career high.
Stafford went 7 of 10 for 226 yards and a touchdown on throws of 20 or more through the air. According to ESPN Research, this is the most completions and yards on throws in a postseason game over the last 20 seasons.
Rams wide receiver puka nakua He said he thought Stafford Sunday was “phenomenal”.
“He always does a great job of being able to make plays for us,” said Nacua, who led the Rams with nine catches for 165 yards and a touchdown. “I think in the moments we needed him, he was able to read the defense and put the ball where he needed to be.”
It was very difficult to recover the loss, McVay said, because “it was all final.” After the game, McVay said he felt “pretty numb”. Stafford called the loss “a tough pill to swallow right now.”
“I felt like we were going to be the team on that podium,” McVay said. “And we weren’t. And you give Seattle credit, but I love this group. And I’m really at a loss for words, and I’m perfect right now, so it’s hard.”
wide receiver davante adamsThe forward, who signed with the Rams in March, appeared emotional while answering questions in the locker room. Asked how he would describe those feelings, Adams said, “Heartbroken.”
“It’s hard to talk about, honestly,” Adams said.
When asked how he would describe Stafford and the Rams’ offense on Sunday, Adams paused for more than 20 seconds, trying to compose himself.
“I’m proud of the way the guys battled today,” said Adams, who had four receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown.
Adams said the emotions came in part from being in this situation before and knowing how hard it is to get back. Adams has played in five NFC Championship Games in his career and has never been to a Super Bowl. According to ESPN Research, their 0–5 record in conference championship games is the second-most losses without a win by any player since the round was made in 1970.
Adams called this Rams team “one of my favorite teams I’ve ever been a part of” and said playing with Stafford “has been a dream.”
“[He’s] “One of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game and one of the best teammates I’ve ever had,” Adams said.
“…So to be able to spend time with him this year, get to know him a little bit more than just the NFC North, I value that a lot.”
