Matthew Stafford is ranked among the NFL’s top 5 quarterbacks

Matthew Stafford’s career renaissance has been impressive. The 36-year-old quarterback just completed his 15th professional season. By any standard, it was one of his best.

The former Georgia quarterback appeared in 16 games with the Los Angeles Rams, completing 63.0 percent of his passes for 4,332 yards and turning the ball only 11 times. His play helped lead the Rams to the playoffs for the first time since Stafford helped the Rams win in Super Bowl LVI in 2021. According to NFL.com, Stafford’s performance in 2023 vaulted him back into the sport’s elite ranks.

According to the website’s NFL QB Index, Stafford is the fifth-best quarterback in the league, behind only Josh Allen, Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes, NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, and Jared Goff, the quarterback who took Stafford’s spot in Detroit. Stafford’s current ranking ties his final ranking from the 2021 season and is his highest in the last ten years.

After years of risking everything for Detroit, it’s fun to watch Stafford throw the ball around in Los Angeles. He seems to be surrounded by a team and coaching staff that emphasizes his talent rather than relying on them. His head coach Sean McVay, who is just a few years older than the quarterback, and Stafford have a great working relationship, which is evident in their chemistry on the field.

Stafford was also able to introduce a new weapon this season. Standout rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua set rookie records for both receiving yards (105) and receiving yards (1,486). Working with a quarterback like Matthew Stafford certainly helped.

Stafford is under contract through 2026 and will receive a base salary of $31 million in 2024.