Matthew Stafford as NFL's MVP favorite is a plot twist that nobody saw coming

At one point in the offseason, the Los Angeles Rams and veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford were stuck on negotiating what should become the fair market value for the 37-year-old quarterback who showed his age in 2024.

Next came the back injury saga that would prevent the starting quarterback from participating in training camp with his teammates. Even as the offense worked out the timing and communication with newcomers like veteran wide receiver Davante Adams, Stafford was sidelined.

It was the type of offseason that emboldened NFL analysts to predict Stafford's retirement as early as the end of this season.

And yet, here we are. Where once the 37-year-old quarterback was in the eye of a retirement rumor hurricane, now he is at the epicenter of new NFL rumors. His shockingly solid performance this season has found him garnering more and more support for the most coveted individual prize in the NFL: The Most Valuable Player honors.

The numbers back up Matthew Stafford's MVP season

It may be difficult for some NFL fans to wrap their heads around 2025 as one of the 17-seasoned veteran's best performances, but that is what is happening right now. In only nine games, he has tossed more touchdown passes than all but six of his entire NFL annual totals. And the only occasion in which he has thrown fewer than two interceptions was 2010, a year in which he played just three games.

He is completing 67.1 percent of his passes and has thrown for 2,427 yards. He has connected with 12 different receivers, including all four tight ends. He has even thrown touchdowns to nine of the 12 receivers.

Stafford's absence in training camp delayed his ability to generate on-field chemistry with Adams for weeks. But since the Week 8 BYE, the pair have connected on 11-of-15 passes for 137 yards and three touchdowns.

Is it any wonder he is among the top projected candidates for NFL MVP accolades this season? What would MVP mean for a veteran who has been expected to retire at the end of this season?

While Stafford is discovering his passion for football, he is not alone in that newfound love and appreciation. Head coach Sean McVay is proving once more to the NFL that he is an offensive wunderkind. He was the architect for the team's innovations that propelled the offense to new heights.

Now, he is dusting off his tight end prowess from his Washington Commanders' days to reeducate NFL defenses about the inherent value of the big-bodied receivers. Along the way, he is proving to critics and naysayers that he will no longer be held hostage by wide receiver durability concerns.

Los Angeles' offense just leveled up in 2025.

Like any historic duos, it's impossible to envision either Matthew Stafford or Sean McVay enjoying this level of success without the other. McVay needs Stafford's ability to optimize the offense and improvise when plays break down.

Stafford needs McVay's play designs to give him options, to keep defenses on their heels, and to ensure that someone is open when he needs to release the football.

Which now begs the question. If Matthew Stafford is correctly in MVP conversations, why isn't Sean McVay in NFL Coach of the Year discussions?

As always, thanks for reading.