March 19, 2026, 11:58 a.m. PT
After the Los Angeles Rams’ 2025 season ended in the NFC title game, Matthew Stafford gave no indications of whether he’d come back for his 18th year in the NFL. He didn’t have to give it much thought, though, because within two weeks, he decided to continue playing for the Rams.
Sean McVay and Les Snead knew Stafford would announce his return at the NFL Honors show, which he did during his MVP acceptance speech, but teammates were left out of the loop.
Kyren Williams and Kevin Dotson were asked by ESPN this week whether they knew Stafford was coming back, and they had no idea.
“Everybody found out that night,” Williams said.
Dotson said he breathed a big sigh of relief when Stafford said he was returning, knowing how integral he is to the entire team – not just the offense.
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“The last two years have really been like, ‘All right, hold up. Give us an answer, please,’” Dotson joked. “Once I heard that, I was like, ‘You can exhale a little bit.’ He’s such a guy that the team follows. We rally behind him so much that him being that pivotal piece for our offense, and really the team. The defense, they know, let’s give him a chance. We know, give him a chance. Offensive line, give him at least 3 seconds, something spectacular might happen.”
With Stafford back, the Rams are the Super Bowl favorites in 2026, slightly ahead of the defending champion Seattle Seahawks. Had Stafford retired, the Rams would’ve had no answers at quarterback, forcing them to scramble at the position in an attempt to replace the MVP.
Fortunately, they don’t have to worry about that (yet) because No. 9 is back for Year 18.
