{"id":945020,"date":"2026-07-14T05:00:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T05:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/945020\/"},"modified":"2026-07-14T05:00:02","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T05:00:02","slug":"matthew-staffords-wife-kelly-hints-at-why-rams-qb-could-end-nfl-career","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/945020\/","title":{"rendered":"Matthew Stafford’s wife Kelly hints at why Rams QB could end NFL career"},"content":{"rendered":"

Los Angeles Rams<\/a> star quarterback Matthew Stafford\u2019s wife, Kelly<\/a>, hinted at several reasons why Stafford\u2019s NFL tenure might end sooner rather than later during her appearance on \u201cThe Cutting Edge\u201d podcast <\/a>earlier this month.<\/p>\n

When speaking about what her family life is like<\/a> when Stafford is in the season, Kelly said, \u201cOne of the biggest things Matthew can\u2019t stand is that he can\u2019t come to [his kids\u2019] weekend games.\u201d<\/p>\n

Matt and Kelly Stafford pose for a selfie while at a game together. Instagram\/@kbstafford89<\/p>\n

She then added, \u201cThat\u2019s starting to wear and tear on him<\/a>, that he\u2019s not around for those. And they\u2019re getting to the age \u2026 And they\u2019re asking, \u2018Well, when is dad gonna come to our games?’\u201d<\/p>\n

Matt and Kelly have four daughters together, all of whom are between six and nine years old. <\/p>\n

A few minutes later in the podcast, Kelly said: \u201cWith the injury stuff, too, Matthew has had his fair share. And now the lingering ones, as he gets older in this league \u2026 Every year, I always worry about his head. That\u2019s the one injury that diagnosing it is tough; knowing the repercussions of it is tough.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Kelly Stafford speaks during an episode of \u201cThe Cutting Edge\u201d podcast. YouTube\/The Cutting Edge<\/p>\n

She then added: \u201cFor [players] emotionally, it\u2019s tough, because their identity right now is in what they do. And it\u2019s true. So if you take that away from them, even for a small time because of injuries, it\u2019s tough on them.<\/p>\n

\u201cMatthew\u2019s back last year was the worst I\u2019d ever seen him, mentally and emotionally, when it comes to an injury,\u201d Kelly continued. <\/p>\n

Stafford had to manage an aggravated disc in his back<\/a> during the 2025 season, which kept him sidelined for most of training camp. It clearly didn\u2019t impact his performance on the field much, given that he won the NFL MVP award, but its chronic nature will continue to be a storyline for the rest of his career.<\/p>\n

Matt Stafford\u2019s NFL tenure might end sooner rather than later due to lingering injuries and missing out on quality family time. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images<\/p>\n

In other words, Kelly is suggesting that Matthew is getting tired of missing his daughters\u2019 sports games and other aspects of them growing up while he\u2019s in the middle of a season. And the injuries (especially his chronic back issue) seem to be taking a toll on him mentally, physically and emotionally.<\/p>\n

The 38-year-old Stafford hasn\u2019t been clear about when he intends to retire<\/a>. But when that decision is made (which will likely be within the next few years), one can likely point to these two factors as the reason.<\/p>\n

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