Matthew Stafford Retirement Talk Returns After Rams’ NFC Title Loss, Leaving 2026 Quarterback Plan in Focus

Matthew Stafford retirement questions are back in the air in Los Angeles after the Rams’ season ended one win short of the Super Bowl, and the franchise now faces a familiar offseason problem: uncertainty at the most important position. Stafford has not publicly committed to playing in 2026, even as head coach Sean McVay made clear he wants his longtime starter back.

For fans searching “Rams quarterback 2026,” “Rams QB,” or “LA Rams quarterback,” the reality right now is simple: Matthew Stafford is still the Rams quarterback, but the next step is not officially settled.

What Stafford and Sean McVay have said about 2026

McVay, the Rams head coach, pushed back strongly when asked if the season-ending loss could be Stafford’s last game, signaling he expects Stafford to return if the quarterback still wants to play. Stafford, meanwhile, has framed his decision as something that requires time and reflection, pointing to the physical and family side of the choice rather than making any immediate declaration.

The timeline for a decision has not been stated publicly. Key terms have not been disclosed publicly.

Stafford is 37 years old as of Jan. 28, 2026 ET and turns 38 on Feb. 7, 2026. He remains one of the league’s most experienced passers, and the question is less about whether he can still play and more about whether he wants to keep doing the weekly grind that comes with leading an NFL offense.

Rams score today, and the last result that put the spotlight on Stafford

If you are searching “Rams score today” or “LA Rams score,” there is no Rams game on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026 ET. The Rams are already in the offseason following their last game on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, when they lost 31 to 27 to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship.

That ending matters because it closes the competitive window for the season and immediately shifts the conversation from game plans to roster construction. A one-score loss in a conference title game can amplify every offseason question, but quarterback speculation tends to drown out the rest, especially when the starter is nearing 40.

For Seahawks fans asking “Seahawks coach,” Seattle is led by head coach Mike Macdonald, who guided the team through the NFC title game win and into Super Bowl week.

Has Matthew Stafford won a Super Bowl, and when was the last time the Rams went?

Yes, Matthew Stafford has won a Super Bowl. He led the Rams to a 23 to 20 win in Super Bowl LVI on Feb. 13, 2022, delivering the championship that validated the trade that brought him to Los Angeles.

That 2022 game is also the last time the Rams went to the Super Bowl. Before that, the franchise’s previous appearance came in the 2018 season, played on Feb. 3, 2019.

Those milestones matter in the retirement conversation because they shape legacy and leverage. A quarterback who has already won a title has less left to prove, but also more power to choose the ending that feels right.

Why the Rams quarterback 2026 decision is complicated

Quarterback decisions in this part of the calendar are rarely only about football. The Rams have to balance Stafford’s personal decision with salary-cap planning, the draft, and the free-agent market. Even if a veteran plans to return, teams often revisit contract structure to fit the current roster, and any delay can ripple into how aggressively a club pursues alternatives.

Mechanically, the process usually plays out in layers: the player decides whether he wants to continue, the team evaluates performance and durability, and then both sides decide whether the current contract still matches the role. If clarity does not arrive early, front offices have to prepare multiple paths at once, including short-term bridge options, draft development plans, or veteran competition.

The uncertainty affects more than the quarterback room. It shapes how the Rams recruit free agents, how coaches design the offense, and how the front office allocates premium resources like early draft picks.

A wide group of stakeholders feels the impact immediately: fans and season-ticket holders who want stability, teammates who want to know who will lead the huddle, and prospective free agents who often weigh quarterback certainty when choosing a destination.

What comes next on the NFL calendar for Stafford, McVay, and the Rams

The next several weeks bring decision points that can force clarity even when a player prefers patience. The NFL scouting combine runs Feb. 23 through March 2, and the franchise tag window opens Feb. 17 and closes March 3, both of which influence how teams and agents map the market.

Free-agent negotiations begin March 9, and the new league year opens March 11 at 4:00 p.m. ET, which is when signings can be finalized. The 2026 NFL Draft follows April 23 to 25 in Pittsburgh.

Those dates are the next verifiable milestones that will shape the Rams’ quarterback plan. Whether it is Stafford returning as the clear starter or Los Angeles pivoting toward a new direction, the team’s 2026 identity will start to take form as those calendar windows arrive.