Matthew Stafford Drops Retirement News on “New Heights” Podcast
Matthew Stafford, the former Detroit Lions quarterback, has re-signed with the Los Angeles Rams, but he surprised fans with some unexpected retirement news during a podcast appearance. Heading into the offseason, there was speculation about whether Stafford would remain with the Rams or potentially move to another team. With veteran quarterbacks in high demand this year, Stafford could have opted to end his career with a third team. However, on February 28, Stafford and the Rams agreed to restructure his contract, keeping him on the roster for at least one more season.
On March 13, Stafford made a surprise guest appearance on the “New Heights” podcast hosted by Jason and Travis Kelce, where he opened up about his plans for the future.
Stafford Hopes to Play Beyond 2025 with the Rams
Stafford expressed his enthusiasm about returning to the Rams and his desire to stay longer than just one more year. For those who anticipated he might retire after the 2025 season, Stafford’s comments indicate that could be far from the case.
“I know they wanted me back, and I wanted to come back,” Stafford shared during the podcast. “We worked through everything, and now I’m really excited to be here for at least one more year, and hopefully even longer than that.”
The 2024 season saw Stafford break into the NFL’s top 10 for both career passing yards and career passing touchdowns. With 59,809 passing yards and 377 touchdowns, Stafford has firmly established himself as one of the league’s great quarterbacks.
Stafford Reflects on Cooper Kupp’s Potential Trade
On a different note, Stafford addressed the rumors surrounding Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp. It was reported during the offseason that the Rams were considering trading Kupp, which caused some concern among Stafford’s family. Stafford’s wife, Kelly, discussed the issue on her podcast, expressing her confusion over the potential move, especially after their near-miss of advancing to the NFC Championship.
Stafford revealed that he spoke with Kupp right after hearing about the trade discussions. “It was tough, especially because Cooper has been so important to me both on and off the field,” Stafford said. “We’ve spent a lot of time together, and he means so much to me, not only as a player but also as a person.”
The quarterback also expressed his desire to continue playing with Kupp, acknowledging how vital he is to the team and how much he appreciates him as a person.
Anne Erickson, a seasoned sports reporter, covers NFL and college football for Heavy.com.
