When it comes to Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and his legacy, it’s one that leaves a lot to be desired. Much of that is to no fault of Stafford. For years the Detroit Lions didn’t do enough to surround Stafford with talent that he could take advantage of during his prime. However, throughout his career, he doesn’t have a single All-Pro selection and has been to just two Pro Bowls. Seven of the last 10 Super Bowl MVPs have been quarterbacks, but one of the three not to win it was Stafford in 2021.
That may not seem like it matters, especially when you stack up Stafford’s numbers to other Hall of Fame players. He’s inside the top-10 in completions, yards, and touchdowns. Still, when it comes to the Hall of Fame voters and those that make those decisions, the personal and team accolades matter.
Since joining the Rams, Stafford’s legacy has received a significant boost. In 2023, he was named to his second career Pro Bowl and in 2021 he showed that with a good supporting cast, he could lead that team to a Super Bowl championship. Additionally, the Rams have been to the playoffs in three of Stafford’s four seasons and he has won at least one playoff game in two of his three playoff appearances.
Stafford hasn’t necessarily lit up the stat sheet since joining the Rams. He has just one 4,000 yard season and thrown for more than 25 touchdowns once. That’s not an indictment on Stafford by any means, but he also threw for more than 4,000 yards in seven straight seasons with the Lions.
What makes Stafford a very unique case are the wide receiver seasons that he’s been part of throughout his career. Stafford is the Jason Varitek of the NFL. Varitek caught four no-hitters throughout his career with the Boston Red Sox.
In 2012, Calvin Johnson set an NFL record with 1,964 receiving yards. The quarterback for Johnson during that season was Matthew Stafford. During the 2021 season, Cooper Kupp became the first wide receiver since 2005 to win the triple crown. Kupp finished second 17 yards shy of Johnson’s regular season receiving yards record, but his 2,425 yards are the most for a wide receiver in a combined season and postseason. The quarterback for Kupp during that season was Matthew Stafford. That doesn’t mention that in 2023, Puka Nacua arguably had the best season for a rookie wide receiver, setting the rookie receptions and yards record in the same year. The quarterback for that season was Matthew Stafford.
Stafford once again has the opportunity to be part of a special wide receiver season in 2025. Nacua’s 52 receptions are the most for a player in a team’s first five games in NFL history. As it stands, Nacua is on pace for 1,999 receiving yards which would be more than Calvin Johnson. He is also on pace for 177 receptions which would be 28 more than Michael Thomas had in his record-breaking season. Again, the quarterback for Nacua this season is Matthew Stafford.
It’s special when this type of season happens once in a player’s career. Drew Brees was a big part of Thomas’ record-breaking season and Joe Burrow helped Ja’Marr Chase win the triple crown last year. Matt Ryan won the MVP as Julio Jones got close to Johnson’s record and Peyton Manning helped Marvin Harrison set the receptions record back in 2002.
Among the top-10 wide receiver seasons in yards and receptions, Stafford is the only quarterback to be on the list for multiple receivers. Ben Roethlisberger helped Antonio Brown finish inside the top-10 in receptions twice, but again, it was the same receiver. Stafford has done it with Johnson and Kupp. It’s very possible that he helps a third get there with Nacua given the season that he’s having.
This isn’t necessarily a Hall of Fame case of Stafford, but it simply shows what the Rams quarterback has meant to some of the best wide receiver seasons in NFL history. Stafford has consistently been able to get the most out of his receivers and Nacua is the latest example
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