matthew stafford

Matthew Stafford is an American professional football quarterback who has had a distinguished career in the National Football League (NFL).

Early Life and College

Born on February 7, 1988, Stafford played college football for the University of Georgia, where he was a standout quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs.

NFL Career

Detroit Lions

Stafford was selected first overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2009 NFL Draft. During his time with the Lions, he had several notable achievements:

• In 2011, he became the fourth quarterback in NFL history to throw for over 5,000 yards in a single season, leading the Lions to their first playoff appearance since 19992.
• He led the Lions to further playoff runs in 2014 and 2016, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2014 and setting the NFL season record for comeback wins in 20162.
• Stafford was named the 2011 Pro Football Weekly Comeback Player of the Year, AP Comeback Player of the Year, and NFL Alumni Quarterback of the Year2.

Los Angeles Rams

In 2021, Stafford was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for quarterback Jared Goff and future draft picks. With the Rams, he achieved significant success:

• He led the Rams to a victory in Super Bowl LVI in his first season with the team, finishing the 2021 regular season with 4,886 passing yards and 41 touchdowns4.
• In the 2023 season, Stafford had a resurgence, earning him a nomination for the AP Comeback Player of the Year award after a strong performance following an injury-plagued 2022 season4.

Contracts and Earnings

Stafford has signed several lucrative contracts throughout his career:

• With the Lions, he signed a 6-year, $72 million rookie contract in 2009, followed by a 3-year, $53 million extension in 2013, and a 5-year, $135 million extension in 20173.
• With the Rams, he signed a 4-year, $160 million contract in 2022, which includes a $60 million signing bonus and $130 million guaranteed3. As of 2025, Stafford's career earnings total $364,313,9123.

Records and Achievements

Stafford ranks among the top in several NFL categories:

• He is sixth all-time in passing yards per game and the fastest player to reach 40,000 career passing yards2.
• Stafford holds multiple records, including the most comeback wins in a season and the youngest quarterback to achieve 5,000 passing yards in a season, behind only Dan Marino2.

Current Status

Stafford is currently seeking adjustments to his contract with the Rams, aiming for more guaranteed money beyond the 2024 season5. He continues to be a key player for the Los Angeles Rams, leading the team in various significant games and playoff appearances.