While most people believe that Matthew Stafford could be entering the last season of his career, one Hall of Fame quarterback thinks that the L.A. Rams’ MVP has yet to reach his prime. Last week, Drew Brees told the media that in his experience, the later seasons of his career were the best, because that’s when the mental part of the game was peaking at a time when he was still physically capable of making all the throws and withstanding the rigors of a 17-game NFL schedule.
Brees specifically called
out Stafford as a player who he has told directly could have “3 to 4 of his best years” ahead of him.
“That’s when you’re riding at the level of elite. That’s where Stafford is. I told Matthew Stafford directly, ‘You could have 3 or 4 of the best years of your career coming up.’ He’s been dealing with the back that he had last offseason, so this is all barring injury. Something comes up, you’re dealing with that…You don’t want that to effect or force you to overcompensate to develop bad habits, these are all the things you’re constantly thinking of. That’s where the veteran guys have an advantage over the young gunslingers.“
That’s great news for the Rams. Not so great for Ty Simpson.
Stafford won his first MVP last season at age 37, and next season he could be even better. That would align with Brees’s career arc, the former Saints quarterback who finished second in MVP voting when he was 39. Brees led the NFL in completion percentage every season from age 38-40.
The Rams drafted Simpson in the first round this year, meaning that he is under contract through 2029, with a fifth-year option for 2030. However, Simpson only played one season of college football, so getting him on the field as soon as possible would be ideal for his development.
On one hand, Stafford could lead the Rams to a Super Bowl victory and decide to play into his 40s, but that would keep Simpson on the bench.
On the other hand, Stafford could decide the NFL is taking a toll on his body and he’d like to spend more time at home with his family after this season, which would usher in the Simpson era sooner. But that would mean no more Matthew Stafford.
Brees thinks Stafford is only entering his prime. For now, the only thing we can guarantee is that he’s entering the 2026 season.
