Contesting against Drake Maye of the New England Patriots, Matthew Stafford claimed his first-ever NFL MVP honor at age 37 on Thursday night. As the Rams QB thanked his teammates and family in the acceptance speech, he also used the moment to confirm whether he plans to come back for another run.

“You’re unbelievable cheerleaders for me. I appreciate it. I am so happy to have you at the games on the sideline with me, and I can’t wait for you to cheer me on next year when we’re out there kicking a–,” Stafford said, confirming his next run with the Rams. “So I’ll see you guys next year. Hopefully, I’m not at this event, and we’re getting ready for another game in SoFi. So I appreciate you guys. Thank you very much.”

The internet was full of retirement speculations following the 2025 season. Among all other reasons, injuries also played a big role in fueling those rumors. Stafford has taken a lot of hits over the years, and recent physical issues made people wonder how much longer his body could hold up. The speculation grew even stronger when Stafford chose not to take part in the Pro Bowl Games, despite being named a starter. Being replaced by Jalen Hurts reminded fans of past Pro Bowl snubs that once frustrated him.

“Matthew Stafford was one of four Los Angeles Rams players selected for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games this year, but he won’t be participating—despite being named a starter for the NFC squad,” USA Today’s DaSilva reported. “He’s dropped out of the Pro Bowl and been replaced by Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.”

After being named an NFC starter in December, Stafford also pitched in on the dynamic of how an early Pro Bowl snub in his career changed how he values the honor.

Despite throwing for over 5,000 yards and 41 touchdowns with the Lions in 2021, he was still left off the Pro Bowl roster, prompting him to say that the moment taught him not to focus too much on Pro Bowl selections. Skipping the event felt like another quiet sign that Stafford may be preparing for life after football.

However, it seems like cherishing another milestone this season gave him enough confidence to stay back for one more season. The title, on the other hand, didn’t come without being in close competition with Drake Maye.

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Matthew Stafford claims the NFL MVP honor after a slight-gap win over Drake Maye

Matthew Stafford won the NFL Most Valuable Player award by the smallest of margins, beating Drake Maye with just a five point margin. Stafford finished with 366 total points, while Maye ended with 361, making it one of the closest MVP races in NFL history. The gap was so slim that only one or two votes made the difference between first and second place.

The voting showed how tight the competition really was. Stafford received 24 first-place votes, while Maye earned 23, proving that the race stayed neck-and-neck until the very end. Over the final weeks of the season, the two quarterbacks traded spots as the betting favorite, with Stafford pulling slightly ahead after the regular season ended. That late push helped him secure the narrow win.

Stafford’s MVP season turned out to be a major highlight, not only because of the close finish but also because of his age and experience. At 37 years old and in his 17th NFL season, he became the oldest player ever to win his first MVP award. Besides Maye, Josh Allen, the 2024 MVP, was also a close competitor on the list as he finished third. Justin Herbert, on the other hand, picked up one first-place vote but fell behind in overall totals. Non-quarterbacks like Christian McCaffrey also trailed due to the dominance of the passing numbers this year. With a clear dominant win, the QB is all set to give another chance to his commendable journey with the Rams.