Matthew Stafford turned 34 years old today (Monday, February 7, 2022) He’s played 13 years in the league and never played in the Super Bowl.
Stafford was always that “really good quarterback but doesn’t have a ring” type of quarterback. Really, the Lions failed him in Detroit and didn’t build a winning team around him.
He’s been able to play with quality players like Calvin Johnson and Kenny Golladay, but Johnson retired early and Golladay went to the Giants to do absolutely nothing there. Maybe it shows you how good Stafford really was to make Golladay such a superstar.
To be fair, Matthew Stafford already came into a winning situation this season. The Rams were going all-in on the year and added Stafford along with players like Von Miller, Odell Beckham Jr., Sony Michel, and Eric Weddle. The draft picks are no longer around for the Rams. It’s championship or bust and Stafford was practically in the right place at the right time.
But now because of that, there is pressure on Stafford to succeed. He hasn’t had the best second half of the season and continues to make bad mistakes. Last week, he could’ve easily been intercepted in the fourth quarter, but the play was dropped. In other weeks, he’s had some really bad interceptions and made some poor decisions on those plays.
But ultimately, everyone loves a “good guy.” Stafford is that. He’s a guy that everyone seems to love. He can do no wrong and has a wife that is stronger than most NFL wives just from everything she’s had to go through. Stafford will be cheered on heavily in this game, but yes, he needs to go out and perform and help the Rams win.
If Stafford helps the Rams win this game, he will be a Hall of Fame candidate and has plenty more years to continue on his legacy in the game at just 34 years of age. What if the Rams win this year and come back next season with ultimately the same team?
Head Coach Sean McVay said that Stafford has made a tremendous impact on the Rams this season. McVay said that Stafford has elevated everyone around him and that he’s made McVay a better coach and his teammates better players.
That’s the kind of legacy and standard that you need to have as a veteran quarterback in the NFL. Stafford certainly didn’t have the best of seasons this year under center, but he was able to lead this team regardless of his performance and now the Rams are in the Super Bowl.
So of course, if Stafford wins this game, his legacy will be greater, But Stafford is already leaving it better than he found it. He came into Los Angeles looking for a Super Bowl ring and now he’s playing in the big game. If he struggles and the Rams lose, there’s always next year. But Stafford did what Jared Goff couldn’t do and that shows you just how great Stafford is as a leader.
He’s left his mark on the NFL, the Lions, and the Rams and every teammate and coach he’s ever had. That’s Hall of Fame material in my book, despite if he wins it all this year with the Rams.