As the Lions' primary starter from 2009 to 2020, Stafford had a breakout year in 2011 when he became the fourth quarterback in NFL history tothrow for more than 5,000 yards in a single season, while also leading Detroit to their first playoff appearance since 1999. He helped the Lions reach the playoffs two more times in 2014 and 2016, earningPro Bowl honors during the former and setting the NFL season record for comeback wins in the latter. After mutually agreeing to part ways with the Lions, Stafford was traded to the Rams in 2021 and led them to victory inSuper Bowl LVI. In 2025, Stafford led the league in passing yards and touchdowns for the first time in his career, earning himNFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors.[4]
In 2005, Stafford led his team to a perfect 15–0 record and won theUIL 4A Division I State Championship.[8] During the playoff run, Stafford beatRyan Mallett'sTexarkana Texas 38–31, as well asJevan Snead'sStephenville 41–38.[9][10] Stafford had over 4,000 yards passing despite not playing in the first three games of the season due to a knee injury. Stafford received numerous accolades, including being named to theParade All-America Team and theUSA Today Pre-Season Super 25 in 2005.[11] He also won the MVP and Best Arm awards at the 2005EA SportsElite 11 Quarterback Camp and was named the 2005 EA Sports National Player of the Year.[12] Regarded as a five-star recruit byRivals.com, Stafford was listed as the No. 1 pro-style quarterback prospect in the class of 2006 by Rivals.com.[13][6]
Before he had even started a game at the collegiate level, analystMel Kiper Jr. predicted, correctly, that Stafford would eventually be the first pick in theNFL draft.[14][15]
Stafford graduated early from high school and enrolled at theUniversity of Georgia in January, where he became the first true freshman quarterback to start for theGeorgia Bulldogs football team sinceQuincy Carter in 1998, and first out of high school to start sinceEric Zeier in 1991.[17][18][19][20] Stafford wore number 7 at Georgia.[21] He completed five of 12 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown in a Georgia spring game.[22]
Stafford debuted late in the season opener of the2006 season againstWestern Kentucky and went 3 of 5 passing for 40 yards and a touchdown pass in the 48–12 victory.[23] During the season's second game, againstSouth Carolina, starting quarterbackJoe Tereshinski III was injured, forcing Stafford to come off the bench.[24] Although he completed just 8 of 19 passes for 171 yards and three interceptions, Georgia won the game, 18–0.[25] AgainstUniversity of Alabama Birmingham the following week, Stafford made his first collegiate start. Georgia won, 34–0.[26] Victories overColorado andOle Miss improved Georgia's record to 5–0, but the heart of the conference schedule loomed.[27]
The rest of the season was inconsistent for Stafford and the Bulldogs. Following home losses to bothTennessee andVanderbilt, head coachMark Richt named Stafford the starter for the rest of the season ahead of Tereshinski.[28][29] Stafford completed 20 of 32 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns in a 27–24 win overMississippi State, and was named theSoutheastern Conference (SEC) Freshman of the Week for his efforts.[30] Statistically, he had his best game of the season against the No. 5Auburn Tigers. Stafford finished the game 14 of 20 for 219 yards and a touchdown, and added 83 rushing yards and a touchdown on seven carries in Georgia's 37–15 upset victory.[31] The following week, Stafford led the Bulldogs on a 12-play, 64-yard drive and threw a late game-winning touchdown pass toMohamed Massaquoi in Georgia's 15–12 victory over No. 16Georgia Tech.[32]
Stafford completed his freshman season by leading Georgia to a 31–24 come-from-behind victory overVirginia Tech in theChick-fil-A Bowl, after the Bulldogs trailed 21–3 at halftime. Stafford threw for 129 yards and a second half touchdown to spark the comeback and allow Georgia to finish the season with a 9–4 record.[33] Stafford finished with 1,749 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.[34]
Stafford threw for 234 yards and two touchdowns as the Bulldogs defeated theOklahoma State Cowboys 35–14 in the season opener.[35] Following a 16–12 loss toSouth Carolina and a 45–16 victory overWestern Carolina, the Bulldogs avoided an 0–2 start in SEC play by escapingBryant–Denny Stadium with an overtime win overAlabama.[36][37][38] Stafford connected with senior wide receiver Mikey Henderson on the Bulldogs' first play from scrimmage in overtime for the winning score.[39] Following the Alabama game, Georgia won two of their next three.[40] In the win over No. 9Florida, he completed 11 of 18 passes for 217 yards and three touchdowns, including a career-long touchdown pass of 84 yards toMohamed Massaquoi and a 53-yard touchdown pass to Henderson.[41][42] Georgia closed out the regular season on a six-game winning streak.[40] The wins over Florida,Auburn, andGeorgia Tech marked the first time that Georgia had defeated all three rivals in the same season since 1982.[43][44]
Stafford had 175 yards passing and a touchdown pass during Georgia's 41–10 rout of the No. 10Hawaii Warriors in the2008 Sugar Bowl.[45] He completed 194 of 348 passes for 2,523 yards (194.1/game) and 19 touchdowns as well as two rushing touchdowns for the season.[46] He finished fifth in the SEC in pass completions and sixth in passing touchdowns.[47] Stafford helped lead Georgia to an 11–2 record, their best mark since the 2002 season, and a No. 2 ranking in the Final AP Poll.[40][48]
Stafford was chosen toAthlon Sports' preseasonHeisman Favorites Others To Watch list.[11]Georgia was ranked No. 1 in both the preseason coaches poll and the AP Poll, marking the first time Georgia has ever been No. 1 in the preseason version of either poll.[49] The team entered the 2008 season with the longest active winning streak among the 66 BCS conference teams, having won its last seven games of the 2007 season. He helped lead them to victories in their first four games to move the winning streak to 11.[50] Stafford and the Bulldogs suffered their first setback in a 41–30 loss to No. 8Alabama on September 27.[51] Stafford rebounded by helping lead the team to victories in five of the next six games, the lone exception being a 49–10 loss to the eventual National ChampionFlorida Gators.[50][52] In that stretch, he threw for over 300 yards in victories overTennessee andKentucky.[53][54] In the final regular season game againstGeorgia Tech, Stafford completed 24 out of 39 attempts for 407 yards and five touchdowns, setting personal collegiate highs for passing yards and touchdowns in a single game, albeit a 45–42 loss.[55] Stafford finished the season with a conference-leading 235 pass completions for 3,459 passing yards, the second most in school history, and 25 touchdowns, the single-season record for passing touchdowns.[56] He led the SEC in pass attempts and passing completions while finishing third for passing touchdowns.[57][58] Georgia finished the regular season with a 9–3 mark and qualified for the Capitol One Bowl.[50] After defeatingMichigan State 24–12 and winning the MVP of the2009 Capital One Bowl, Stafford finished his three years at Georgia with a 3–0 record in bowl games and a 6–3 record in rivalry games (1–2 againstFlorida, 3–0 againstAuburn, and 2–1 againstGeorgia Tech).[59] Stafford chose to forgo his senior season and entered the 2009 NFL draft.[60]
In April 2008, several NFL analysts predicted that Stafford would be the No. 1 pick in the2009 NFL draft if he chose to leave school early.[68][69] Stafford eventually did, and on April 24, 2009, agreed to record contract terms with theDetroit Lions to become the first overall pick of the 2009 NFL draft, one day before the draft was held.[70] He became the fourth player out of Georgia to be the first overall selection in the draft and the first sinceHarry Babcock in1953.[71][72][73][74] The six-year contract reportedly contained $41.7 million in guaranteed money (the most guaranteed to any player in NFL history until July 30, 2010, when quarterbackSam Bradford signed a deal with $50 million guaranteed) and carried a total value of up to $78 million. Detroit negotiated a deal with Stafford on April 24, 2009, less than 24 hours before the draft.[75]
On September 6, 2009, Lions head coachJim Schwartz announced that Stafford would be the Lions' starting quarterback heading into the season.[79][80][81] He was the first Lions rookie quarterback to start in Week 1 sinceGreg Landry in 1968.[82] Stafford completed 16-of-37 passes for 205 yards and three interceptions while scoring his first NFL touchdown on a one-yard touchdown early in the third quarter of the 45–27 loss to theeventual Super Bowl championNew Orleans Saints.[83] In the next game against theMinnesota Vikings, Stafford had 152 passing yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions during the 27–13 loss.[84] Stafford recorded his first win the following week against theWashington Redskins, throwing for 241 yards and a touchdown in the 19–14 victory.[85] The win was significant for the Lions as it snapped a 19-game losing streak going back to the2007 season.[86]
During Week 11, Stafford threw for 422 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions in a narrow 38–37 victory over theCleveland Browns.[87] He became the youngest quarterback ever to throw five touchdowns in a game, being more than a year younger than the former record holder,Dan Marino.[88] In a thrilling ending, Stafford received high acclaim when he stepped back onto the field despite team doctors' urge to stay on the sideline after suffering aseparated shoulder on the previous play and threw the final touchdown pass as time expired. Stafford's 422 passing yards was a record for a rookie at that time.[89] For his performance, Stafford was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week and Pepsi Rookie of the Week.[90][91] He was mic'd up for the game forNFL Films. The show's creatorSteve Sabol said it was the most dramatic performance he's seen in the show's 30-year history.[92] In the next game against theGreen Bay Packers onThanksgiving, Stafford completed 20-of-43 passes for 213 yards, a touchdown, and four interceptions during the 34–12 loss.[93]
Stafford was placed oninjured reserve on December 24 for the minor knee injury.[94] He finished his rookie year with 2,267 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions to go along with 20 carries for 108 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games and starts.[95] In all of his starts, Stafford either threw or ran for a touchdown despite the Lions finishing 2–8 in games that he started in. The Lions did not win another game without Stafford and finished with a 2–14 record overall.[96]
Stafford injured his right shoulder during the season-opening 19–14 loss to the Bears.[97] Stafford returned in Week 8 against the Redskins and threw for 212 yards, four touchdowns, and an interception to lead the Lions to a 37–25 victory.[98] In the next game against theNew York Jets, he re-injured his shoulder during the fourth quarter of the 23–20 overtime loss after throwing for 240 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing touchdown.[99] The Lions announced thatDr. James Andrews had performed surgery on Stafford's throwing shoulder, which included anAC joint repair and a clavicle shaving, prematurely ending his season.[100][101]
Stafford finished his second professional season with 535 passing yards, six touchdowns, and an interception to go along with four carries for 11 yards and a touchdown in three games and starts.[102]
The Lions opened the season against theTampa Bay Buccaneers with high expectations.[103] Stafford played well, throwing for 305 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception in a 27–20 road victory, the first season opener the Lions had won since 2007.[104] Another strong performance followed the following week against theKansas City Chiefs with Stafford throwing for four touchdowns, 294 yards, and an interception in a 48–3 blowout victory, the largest win margin in team history.[105] Stafford won the FedEx Air NFL Player of the Week for his performance.[106] In Weeks 3 and 4, Stafford led the team to consecutive comeback victories, a 26–23 overtime road victory over the Vikings after trailing 20–0 at halftime in Week 3, and a 34–30 road victory over theDallas Cowboys after trailing 27–3 with 12:27 left in the third quarter.[107][108] The 24-point comeback marked the largest in franchise history.[109]
During Week 5 against the Bears onMonday Night Football, Stafford completed 19-of-26 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns in the 24–13 victory. This marked the first time the Lions had gone 5–0 since1956, the year before they won their last NFL Championship.[110] During a Week 10 37–13 road loss to the Bears, Stafford threw for 329 yards, a touchdown, and four interceptions, including two that were returned for touchdowns on consecutive drives.[111][112] The game was marred by a brawl that began when Stafford threw Bears cornerbackD. J. Moore to the ground by his helmet during a block on an interception return. In response, Moore attacked Stafford and a sideline-clearing brawl ensued.[113] Stafford was fined $7,500 for his role in the brawl.[114]
During Week 11, Stafford threw for 335 yards and tied his career-high with five touchdowns as the Lions defeated theCarolina Panthers in another comeback, 49–35, after trailing 24–7 in the second quarter.[115] Stafford became the first quarterback since at least 1950 to win back-to-back games after trailing by at least 20 points, the first to win three games in a season after trailing by at least 17 points, and the first to win four games in a season after trailing by at least 13 points according to STATS, LLC.[116]
During the regular-season finale against the Packers, Stafford became the fourth quarterback in NFL history and third in the 2011 season, along withTom Brady andDrew Brees, to throw for5,000 passing yards in a season after recording a career-high 520 passing yards in the45–41 road loss.[117] In this game, Stafford threw an interception on an attempted 37-yard touchdown pass that, had he been successful, he would've brokenNorm Van Brocklin's record for most yards in a game.[118] The accomplishment made Stafford the second-youngest quarterback in NFL history, at the age of 23 years and 328 days, to reach 5,000 yards, behind only Dan Marino.[119][120] Stafford became the first player in Lions' franchise history to have two games in a single season with at least five passing touchdowns.[121] Over the last four games of the 2011 regular season, Stafford became the only quarterback in NFL history to pass for over 1,500 yards (1,511) and 14 touchdowns over a four-game span.[122] Stafford and the Lions finished the regular season with a 10–6 record, good enough for the Lions to make their first playoff appearance since1999.[123][124]
During theWild Card Round against theNew Orleans Saints, Stafford threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns and added a rushing touchdown. However, he threw two late interceptions in the fourth quarter that sealed the 45–28 loss for the Lions.[125] Stafford was named aPro Bowl alternate for the NFC after the 2011 NFL season.[126] He was later named the 2011 Pro Football Weekly Comeback Player of the Year, AP Comeback Player of the Year, and NFL Alumni Quarterback of the Year.[127][128] Stafford was ranked 41st by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2012.[129]
While the 2011 season proved to be the best season of Stafford's young career, 2012 was one full of setbacks. During the opening game against theSt. Louis Rams, Stafford threw three interceptions and one touchdown pass. However, the Lions won the game 27–23.[130] Stafford and the Lions lost the next three games to theSan Francisco 49ers,Tennessee Titans, and Vikings.[131][132][133] In the ensuing weeks, the Lions managed to win three games, including impressive comeback wins against theSeattle Seahawks andPhiladelphia Eagles, and a dominating performance against theJacksonville Jaguars.[134][135][136] These proved to be the final winning games of the 2012 season as the Lions ended the season with an eight-game losing streak and with a 4–12 record.[137] One highlight in the losing streak was the Week 16 matchup against theAtlanta Falcons, where Stafford recorded a career-high 37 completions for 443 passing yards and an interception in the 31–18 loss.[138]
Stafford finished the season with a league-leading 435 pass completions for 20 touchdown passes, significantly less compared to the 41 touchdowns he passed for in the 2011 season; 17 interceptions, one more than 2011, and second most in his career since his rookie season; 4,967 passing yards on 727 attempts (an NFL record; the previous record was 691 byDrew Bledsoe); and a QB rating of 79.8, the lowest since his rookie season.[139] Stafford rushed for a career-high 126 yards and four rushing touchdowns on 35 carries.[140] He was ranked No. 76 among his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2013.[141]
On July 7, 2013, Stafford agreed to a three-year, $53 million extension with the Lions with $41.5 million guaranteed through 2017.[142]
During Week 4 against the Bears, Stafford completed 23-of-35 passes for 242 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in the 40–32 victory.[143] This gave him 14,069 yards through 49 games, surpassingKurt Warner (13,864) for the best 50-game start to a career.[144]
"I might (reflect on that) when I'm done playing someday," Stafford said. "I had no idea about that, or that it was coming. It's something that I'll probably look back on when I'm done and realize it was something pretty special."[145] Stafford set a record for completions over 50 games at 1,214, overMarc Bulger's 1,115. He finished second in career 300-yard passing performances through 50 games at 19, trailing Warner's 29.[146]
Stafford led the Lions to a 5–3 record entering their mid-season bye. During Week 8, the Lions narrowly defeated the Cowboys 31–30 in the final game before the bye, throwing for 488 yards and a touchdown despite two interceptions; down 30–24 with just 62 seconds to work with and no timeouts Stafford completed a 23-yard pass toCalvin Johnson to the Cowboys 1-yard line; he hustled the team to the line as though to spike the ball, but instead jumped over the line for the winning touchdown with 14 seconds to go, to go to 5–3.[147][148]
However, the Lions finished 2–6 for a final record of 7–9.[149] Lions head coach Jim Schwartz was fired following the season.[150] Stafford finished the 2013 season with 4,650 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions to go along with 37 carries for 69 yards and two touchdowns.[151] He was ranked No. 100 on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2014 players' list.[152]
On January 14, 2014, the Lions announcedJim Caldwell as their new head coach.[153] The Lions rebounded from a disappointing 2013 campaign by finishing with an 11–5 record, thus earning the NFC's 6th seed, their first playoff appearance since2011.[154]
Stafford began the 2014 season strong, throwing for 346 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for a touchdown in the season-opening 35–14 victory over theNew York Giants..[155] During Week 13 against the Bears onThanksgiving, he threw for a season-high 390 passing yards and two touchdowns in the 34–17 victory.[156] During the season, Stafford became the fastest quarterback in NFL history to reach 20,000 passing yards. He accomplished the feat in his 71st game, breaking Dan Marino's mark of 74.[157] He led the NFL with five game-winning drives.[158] Stafford finished the 2014 season with 4,257 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions to go along with 43 carries for 93 yards and two touchdowns.[159]
On January 4, 2015, Stafford and the Lions went against theDallas Cowboys, in theWild Card Round of the playoffs. After the Lions had a 20–7 lead in the third quarter, the Cowboys scored 17 unanswered points to win 24–20. In the fourth quarter, with the Lions up 20–17, Stafford threw a pass to tight endBrandon Pettigrew. The ball hit Cowboys linebackerAnthony Hitchens on the back. Pass interference was initially called on the Cowboys. However, the officials reversed the call on the series that ended up being crucial as the Lions were forced to punt later on the drive.[160] Stafford threw for 323 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in the road loss.[161]
On January 19, 2015, it was announced that Stafford was selected to the2015 Pro Bowl, his firstPro Bowl appearance as a replacement forPeyton Manning of theDenver Broncos, due to a quad injury.[162][163] Stafford was named Pro Bowl Offensive MVP after throwing for 316 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.[164]
The 2015 season started rough for Stafford and the Lions with a 0–5 start.[165] In the stretch, Stafford passed for six touchdowns and eight interceptions to go along with an average of 241 passing yards per game.[166] The Lions got their first victory during Week 6 against the Bears, with Stafford recording 405 passing yards, four touchdowns, and an interception in the 37–34 overtime result.[167]
During Week 12 against the Eagles onThanksgiving, Stafford threw for 337 yards and five touchdowns in the 45–14 victory.[168] It was the fourth time in Stafford's career with a five-touchdown game, becoming the tenth player in NFL history to pull off the feat.[169] Two weeks later against theSt. Louis Rams, Stafford reached 25,000 passing yards in his 90th career game, becoming the fastest quarterback to reach this milestone, surpassing the previous record held by Dan Marino of 92 games.[170] The following week against the Saints, Stafford posted a single-game career high in passer rating, and brokeJon Kitna's single-game franchise record with an 88.0 completion percentage.[171] Stafford finished the 35–27 victory completing 22-of-25 passes for 254 yards and three touchdowns to give him a career-high 148.6 passer rating.[172]
Stafford became the first quarterback in NFL history to complete 60 percent or more of his passes in all 16 games.[173] Stafford finished the 2015 season with 4,262 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions to go along with 44 carries for 159 yards and a touchdown.[174] Despite his success, the Lions finished with a 7–9 record and missed the playoffs.[175]
Stafford started the 2016 season off with a strong performance against theIndianapolis Colts, finishing with 340 passing yards and three touchdowns in the 39–35 road victory.[176] The Lions followed that up with three consecutive losses before getting a narrow 24–23 victory over the Eagles in Week 5 to have a 2–3 record.[177] During Week 6 against theLos Angeles Rams, he had 270 passing yards and four touchdowns in the 31–28 victory.[178] On December 11, 2016, Stafford brokePeyton Manning's NFL record of most fourth quarter comebacks in a season with eight. In his career, he has 25 such victories, the most in the NFL since he made his debut in 2009.[179] Stafford got the Lions to a 9–4 start but he suffered a hand injury in Week 14 and lost the last three games of the season to finish 9–7.[180][181] They managed to get the sixth seed in the playoffs, only to lose to the Seahawks 26–6 in theWild Card Round. Stafford passed for 206 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in the loss.[182]
Stafford ended the season with 4,327 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions – his sixth consecutive season with at least 4,000 passing yards.[183] He became the fastest player in NFL history to reach the 30,000 career passing yards milestone. Stafford became the fourth quarterback in NFL history to throw for at least 30,000 in their first eight seasons.[184] He was ranked 31st by his peers on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2017.[185]
On August 28, 2017, Stafford signed a five-year, $135 million extension with $92 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid player in NFL history at the time.[186][187]
During the season-opener against theArizona Cardinals, Stafford finished with 292 passing yards, four touchdowns, and an interception as the Lions rallied and won by a score of 35–23.[188] It was his 27th fourth quarter/overtime comeback since 2011, the most in the league.[189] In the next game against the Giants onMonday Night Football, Stafford threw his 193rd career touchdown pass during the 24–10 road victory, passingBob Griese for 48th on the all-time touchdown pass list.[190]
During a Week 8 20–15 loss to thePittsburgh Steelers onSunday Night Football, Stafford became the only player in NFL history to throw for more than 400 yards and no touchdowns in two different games.[191] In the next game against the Packers, Stafford recorded his 200th career touchdown in the first quarter of the game, becoming the fourth quarterback in NFL history to do so before the age of 30, joiningBrett Favre,Dan Marino, andPeyton Manning.[192] During the regular-season finale against the Packers, Stafford recorded his 3,000th career completion in his 125th career game, becoming the fastest player to reach the milestone in NFL history.[193] The Lions finished with a 9–7 record, but did not qualify for the playoffs.[194]
Stafford finished the season with 4,446 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, his seventh consecutive season with at least 4,000 passing yards, to go along with 29 carries for 98 yards.[195] He led the NFC in passing yards in 2017.[196] Stafford was ranked 31st by his peers for the second consecutive year on the list of theTop 100 NFL Players of 2018.[197]
Going into the 2018 season, Stafford had a new head coach inMatt Patricia.[198]
During the season opener against the Jets onMonday Night Football, Stafford had 286 passing yards, a touchdown, and four interceptions in the 48–17 loss.[199] He rebounded statistically in the following game against theSan Francisco 49ers, passing for 347 yards and three touchdowns during the 30–27 road loss.[200] The Lions got their first win of the season the following week against theeventual Super Bowl championNew England Patriots onSunday Night Football as Stafford recorded 262 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in the 26–10 victory.[201] Overall, the rest of the season was inconsistent for Stafford and the Lions. He never passed for more than two touchdowns in any game for the rest of the season as the Lions finished with a 6–10 record.[202][203] One memorable game for the Lions was a 31–0 shutout of their rival, the Packers, with Stafford passing for 266 yards and two touchdowns in the regular-season finale.[204] Overall, Stafford finished with 3,777 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions to go along with 25 carries for 71 yards.[205]
During the season-opener on the road against the Cardinals, Stafford threw for 385 yards and three touchdowns in the 27–27tie game.[206] Stafford helped lead the Lions to consecutive victories over the next two games against theLos Angeles Chargers and Eagles.[207][208] The Lions dropped consecutive games against theeventual Super Bowl champion Chiefs in Week 4 and Packers in Week 6.[209] During Week 7 against the Vikings, Stafford threw for 364 yards, four touchdowns, and an interception in the 42–30 loss.[210] He also reached 40,000 passing yards in his 147th career game, becoming the fastest quarterback to the reach the milestone.[211]
During Week 10 against the Bears, Stafford missed his first game since2010, ending his streak of 136 consecutive regular-season starts. Stafford's streak was the sixth-longest for a quarterback in league history.[212][213] It was eventually revealed that he was diagnosed with non-displaced fractures in his upper thoracic spine, causing Stafford to miss more time than usual.[214] On December 18, 2019, he was placed on injured reserve after missing the previous six games and the Lions missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season.[215] At the time of his shutdown, Stafford was well on pace for an impressive statistical season.[216] He had passed for 2,499 yards, 19 touchdowns, and five interceptions in eight games and starts.[209]
Stafford made his return from injury in the season-opener against the Bears, passing for 297 yards, a touchdown, and an interception during the 27–23 loss.[219] Two weeks later against the Cardinals, Stafford had 270 passing yards and two touchdowns in the 26–23 victory. This was the Lions' first win since October 27, 2019.[220] During Week 7 against theAtlanta Falcons, Stafford threw for 340 yards and the game winning touchdown to tight endT. J. Hockenson with no time left on the clock in the narrow 23–22 road victory.[221] In the next game against the Colts, Stafford threw for 336 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception returned for a touchdown in the 41–21 loss.[222]
On November 4, 2020, Stafford was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list again after being a high-risk close contact with a non-team person who tested positive for COVID-19.[223][224] Three days later, Stafford was removed from the COVID-19 list after he came back negative for the virus and was cleared for the Lions' Week 9 matchup against the Vikings.[225][226] Stafford threw for 211 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions before leaving the eventual 34–20 road loss in the fourth quarter and was evaluated for a concussion.[227][228] He return from injury in the next game against theWashington Football Team and threw for 276 yards and three touchdowns during the 30–27 victory.[229] Three weeks later against the Bears, he had 402 passing yards, three touchdowns, and an interception in the 34–30 road victory.[230] During Week 16 against theeventual Super Bowl champion Buccaneers, Stafford was forced to leave the game in the first quarter of the 47–7 loss due to an ankle injury and did not return.[231] In the regular-season finale against the Vikings, Stafford threw for 293 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception during the narrow 37–35 loss, which would be his final game as a Lion.[232]
Overall, in the 2020 season, Stafford started all 16 games and finished with 4,084 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions to go along with 29 carries for 112 yards.[233]
On March 18, 2021, Stafford was traded to theLos Angeles Rams in a package involvingJared Goff, a 2021 third-round pick and two first-round picks in 2022 and 2023.[234]
Stafford made his Rams debut duringSunday Night Football against the Bears and finished the 34–14 victory with 321 passing yards and three touchdowns with a career-best 156.1 passer rating.[235] Stafford was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for the first time since the 2009 season for his performance.[236] In the next game against the Colts, Stafford had 278 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception during the 27–24 road victory.[237] The following week against the Buccaneers, Stafford threw for 343 yards, and four touchdowns in the 34–24 victory.[238] He earned his second NFC Offensive Player of the Week award of the season for his performance.[239]
During a Week 5 26–17 road victory over the Seahawks onThursday Night Football, Stafford threw for 365 yards, a touchdown, and an interception despite injuring his finger.[240] In the next game against the Giants, Stafford completed 22-of-28 passes for 251 yards, four touchdowns, and an interception during the 38–11 road victory.[241] The following week against his former team, theDetroit Lions, Stafford had 334 passing yards and three touchdowns in the 28–19 victory.[242]
During Week 8 against theHouston Texans, Stafford had 305 passing yards and three touchdowns in the 38–22 road victory.[243] In the next game against the Titans onSunday Night Football, he threw for 294 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions during the 28–16 loss.[244] Following a Week 11 bye, the Rams went on the road to face the Packers. Stafford finished the 36–28 road loss with 302 passing yards, three touchdowns, and an interception.[245]
Starting in Week 13, Stafford helped lead the Rams to a five-game winning streak to aid in playoff positioning.[246] Despite losing to the 49ers 27–24 in overtime during the regular-season finale,[247] the Rams finished atop the NFC West with a 12–5 record in Stafford's first season with the team.[248] Stafford set franchise records for pass completions, pass attempts, and passing yards and tied Kurt Warner's mark for passing touchdowns in a single season.[249] Stafford threw for 4,886 yards and 41 touchdowns, but also an NFL-leading 17 interceptions thrown.[250][251][252]
In theWild Card Round of the playoffs, Stafford earned the first postseason victory of his career in his fourth attempt with a 34–11 victory over the Cardinals, throwing for 202 yards and two touchdowns, along with 22 rushing yards and scoring a rushing touchdown for the first time since 2016.[253] In Stafford's first careerDivisional Round appearance, he threw for 366 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for a touchdown during a 30–27 road victory over the defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[254] With the Rams' having squandered a 27–3 lead to allow a 27–27 tie game with the Buccaneers, Stafford completed two passes to wide receiverCooper Kupp for 64 yards, including a 44-yard shot down the field to set up the game-winning field goal.[255] Playing in theNFC Championship Game for the first time in his career, Stafford and the Rams defeated the 49ers by a score of 20–17. Despite being down 17–7 heading into the fourth quarter, Stafford managed to drive his team downfield culminating in a touchdown to Kupp, which cut the deficit to 17–14. Two subsequent drives ended in field goals, with the Rams taking the lead with 1:46 to go in the fourth quarter. The game was sealed whenJimmy Garoppolo threw an interception to linebackerTravin Howard while being pressured byAaron Donald. The victory qualified the Rams forSuper Bowl LVI, to be played in the Rams' home stadium,SoFi Stadium. Stafford completed 31-of-45 passes for 337 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in the game.[256] During the Super Bowl against theCincinnati Bengals, the Rams came away victorious on theirhome field with a final score of 23–20. Scoring started early in the first quarter thanks to a long drive that culminated in aOdell Beckham Jr. touchdown reception. The Bengals managed a field goal to make the score 7–3. Stafford then tossed another touchdown to wide receiverCooper Kupp on the next possession to extend the lead to 13–3. However, on the first play of the second half, Cincinnati retook the lead, 17–13. After field goals by both teams, the Rams trailed 20–16 in the fourth quarter. Stafford orchestrated a drive in the final minutes that ended with another touchdown pass to Kupp to regain the lead 23–20. Overall, Stafford completed 26-of-40 passes for 283 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions as he earned his first championship ring in his first season with the Rams.[257]
Stafford passed for the second-most yards in a single postseason with 1,188.[258] He became the first quarterback sinceEli Manning to lead a fourth-quarter comeback in a Conference Championship and a Super Bowl in the same playoff season.[259] Stafford became the first player in NFL history to pass for at least 6,000 yards and 50 touchdowns in the regular season and postseason combined all while leading a team to a Super Bowl victory in the same season.[260] He was ranked 27th by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2022.[261]
On March 19, 2022, Stafford signed a four-year, $160 million extension with the Rams.[262] During the offseason, he underwent an elbow procedure on his right elbow after experiencing pain throughout the previous season.[263]
During theNFL Kickoff Game against theBuffalo Bills, Stafford threw for 240 yards and a touchdown, but threw three interceptions and was sacked seven times in the 31–10 loss.[264] In the game, Stafford became the 12th quarterback in NFL history to reach 50,000 career passing yards.[265] He tied Drew Brees as the fastest quarterback in NFL history to reach the mark in terms of games played to reach the mark with 183.[266] During Week 5 against the Cowboys, Stafford completed 28 passes of 42 attempts for 308 passing yards, threw a touchdown pass and an interception in the 22–10 loss.[267]
Stafford was put in concussion protocol following the Rams' Week 9 16–13 road loss to the Buccaneers, where he missed the Week 10 matchup against the Cardinals. The Cardinals game marked Stafford's first game as a Ram where he would not play.[268][269] Stafford returned in week 11 against the Saints, where he threw for 159 yards and two touchdowns, but left the eventual 27–20 loss in the third quarter after suffering a concussion.[270][271] Following the Rams' Week 13 loss to the Seahawks, head coachSean McVay revealed that Stafford suffered a spinal cord contusion which would end his season.[272] Stafford was placed on injured reserve on December 5, 2022.[273][274]
In nine games, Stafford finished with 2,087 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and eight interceptions to go along with nine rushing yards and a touchdown.[275] The Rams went 3–6 in the games he played, contributing to a disappointing 5–12 season.[276] The Rams' 12 losses marked the most in NFL history for a defending Super Bowl champion.[277]
Stafford returned as the Rams starting quarterback in 2023 after speculations that he might retire due to the injuries he sustained in 2022.[278]
During the season-opener against the Seahawks, Stafford completed 24-of-38 passes for 334 yards in the 30–13 road victory.[279] Three weeks later against the Colts, Stafford passed for 319 yards and threw a game-winning touchdown to rookie wide receiverPuka Nacua in the 29–23 overtime road victory.[280]
During Week 8 against the Cowboys, Stafford threw for 162 yards and a touchdown but also threw a pick-six to Cowboys cornerbackDaRon Bland in the 43–20 road loss.[281] Stafford exited the game during the third quarter after injuring his right thumb on a two-point conversion pass fromTutu Atwell, and was replaced at quarterback byBrett Rypien.[282] Stafford was later diagnosed with asprained UCL and would miss the next game against the Packers.[283][284]
Stafford returned as starter in Week 11 against the Seahawks and threw for 190 yards, a touchdown, and an interception each during a narrow 17–16 victory.[285] In the next game the Cardinals, he had 229 passing yards, a season-high four touchdowns, and an interception during the 37–14 road victory.[286] Between Weeks 12 and 14, Stafford threw a total of 10 touchdowns and one interception in a three-game stretch after starting out the season throwing for nine touchdowns and eight interceptions.[287]
Stafford finished the regular season 3,965 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions to go along 21 carries for 65 yards.[288] The Rams finished with a 10–7 record and clinched a Wild Card spot in the playoffs.[289] Stafford was selected to his secondPro Bowl as a reserve for the NFC.[290]
In theWild Card Round, Stafford and the Rams faced his former team, the Lions. The game marked the first time Stafford returned to Detroit since being traded to Los Angeles.[291] He finished the narrow 24–23 loss completing 25-of-36 passes for 367 yards and two touchdowns as Lions got their first playoff winin 32 seasons.[292] Stafford was ranked 42nd by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2024.[293]
Stafford and the Rams opened the season in Detroit in a rematch of last year's Wild Card game, with Stafford completing 34-of-49 passes for 317 yards, a touchdown, and an interception during the 26–20 overtime road loss.[294] Following a blowout loss to the Cardinals to drop to 0–2 and injuries to star receiversPuka Nacua andCooper Kupp, Stafford rallied the Rams from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit in Week 3 against the 49ers to win 27–24.[295] During a Week 4 loss against the Bears, Stafford passedEli Manning for 10th in theall-time passing yards list.[296]
With the return of wide receivers Kupp and Nacua in Week 8 against the Vikings, Stafford had a standout game, passing for 279 yards, four touchdowns, and an interception during the 30–20 victory.[297] Three weeks later against the Patriots, he had 295 passing yards and four touchdowns in the 28–22 road victory.[298]
Stafford finished the 2024 season with 3,762 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and eight interceptions as he helped lead the Rams to a playoff berth.[299] In theWild Card Round against the Vikings, Stafford completed 19-of-27 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns during the 27–9 victory.[300] During theDivisional Round against the Eagles, he threw for 324 yards and two touchdowns but had two fumbles, including one lost, in the 28–22 road loss.[301] He was ranked 59th by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2025.[302]
After being given permission to speak with other teams, Stafford had discussions with theNew York Giants[303] andLas Vegas Raiders[304] before deciding to remain with the Rams and agreeing to a restructured contract on February 28, 2025.[305] An aggravated disc in his back caused Stafford to miss most of training camp and there was concern within the Rams organization as to whether his condition would affect him during the season.[306]
During the season-opening 14–9 victory over theHouston Texans, Stafford completed 21 of 29 passes for 245 yards and a touchdown while also becoming the tenth quarterback in NFL history to reach 60,000 career passing yards.[307] Beginning with a 375-yard, three-touchdown performance (during which he threw an 88-yard score to wide receiverTutu Atwell, the longest touchdown pass of Stafford's career) during a 27–20 victory over the Colts in Week 4, Stafford went eight straight games without throwing an interception and threw 28 touchdown passes in that span.[308] During Week 6 against theBaltimore Ravens, Stafford threw for just 181 yards in the 17–3 road victory, but the yardage total was enough for him to surpassDan Marino for ninth in NFL career passing yards. In the next game against theJacksonville Jaguars in London, Stafford threw for 182 yards and tied a career-high with five passing touchdowns during the 35–7 victory.[309]
Stafford's streak of games without an interception ended in Week 13 during a 31–28 loss at theCarolina Panthers, but his 243 passing yards on the day lifted him aboveMatt Ryan into the eighth spot on the NFL career passing yards list.[310] Stafford was named NFC Offensive Player of the Month for November.[311] He threw for 457 yards, which is his most with the Rams, and three touchdowns in the narrow 38–37 overtime road loss to theSeattle Seahawks in Week 16. The performance also passedPhilip Rivers for seventh place all-time in passing yards.[312] In the next game against theAtlanta Falcons, Stafford had 269 passing yards during the 27–24 road loss, with the yardage total moving him pastBen Roethlisberger for the sixth-most passing yards in NFL history,[313] and his two touchdown passes gave him 42 for the season, breaking his own personal single-season best of 41 set in 2011 with Detroit and equaled in 2021 during his first season in Los Angeles. During the regular season finale, Stafford threw for 259 yards and four touchdowns in the 37–20 victory over theArizona Cardinals and was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week.[314] Following the end of the regular season, Stafford was named NFC Offensive Player of the Month for the second consecutive month covering December/January.[315]
In finishing with 4,707 passing yards and a franchise-record 46 touchdown passes for the regular season, Stafford led the NFL in both categories for the first time in his career. Stafford finished with a career-high 109.2 passer rating for the season.[316][317][318] He was named to the Pro Bowl for the third time in his career,[319] and was named to anAssociated Press first team All-Pro Quarterback, the first All-Pro honor of his career.[320]
During the Wild Card Round against theCarolina Panthers, Stafford completed 24-of-42 passes for 304 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception as he rallied the Rams to a 34–31 road victory, his fourth playoff comeback victory since being traded to Los Angeles.[321] In the Divisional Round against the #2-seedChicago Bears, Stafford had 258 passing yards during the 20–17 overtime road victory, sending the Rams to the NFC Championship Game.[322] However, despite Stafford going 22-for-35 for 374 yards and three touchdowns, the Rams lost on the road 31–27.[323] On February 5th, 2026, Stafford was named 2026Most Valuable Player at the15th NFL Honors, and concluded his acceptance speech by declaring that he would return to the Rams for the2026 season.[324]
Youngest quarterback to throw for at least five touchdowns in a single game (21 years, 288 days) (November 22, 2009, against the Cleveland Browns)[341]
First player in NFL history to complete 60% or more of all passes in each game in a season (2015)[342]
At Georgia, Stafford met cheerleader Kelly Hall, the sister of former NFL player and currentNew York Giants assistant quarterbacks coachChad Hall.[372] They got married on April 4, 2015,[373] and have four daughters.[374][375][376][377] In April 2019, Kelly Stafford stated onInstagram that she had a brain tumor.[378] Kelly underwent a 12-hour surgery on April 17.[379] Stafford took time off from being with the Lions, as training camp started up shortly after Kelly's surgery.[380]
In 2015, Stafford donated $1 million to the S.A.Y. Detroit Play Center.[381] Three years later, Stafford was the Lions'Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee.[382] Prior to the 2020 NFL season, the Stafford family donated $1.5 million to the University of Georgia.[383] The donation funded social justice initiatives and scholarships for needy students.[384] Around 2021, the Stafford family donated $1 million with the purpose of funding an educational center in Detroit after the couple had left for Los Angeles.[385]
Stafford is the godfather ofDylan Raiola, who was the top football recruit in 2024.[386] Raiola was the starting quarterback for theNebraska Cornhuskers and is the son ofDominic Raiola who was teammates with Stafford with the Lions from 2009 to 2014.[387][388]
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