It seems like a lifetime ago that Matthew Stafford was the face of the Detroit Lions. Despite his undeniable talent, those years were filled with struggles for the team, and many fans prefer not to relive them.
Eventually, the franchise decided a change was needed, sending Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in a blockbuster trade that brought Jared Goff to Detroit. The move was bittersweet for Lions fans—Stafford immediately delivered a Super Bowl title to Los Angeles, which felt like a painful reminder of what could have been. Still, the Lions have since built their own identity and enjoyed recent success that has given their supporters new hope.
Even at 37 years old, Stafford continues to prove he belongs among the NFL’s elite. On Thursday, October 2, the Rams fell to the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football, but Stafford’s individual numbers remain impressive.
He currently leads the league with 1,503 passing yards and 11 touchdown passes, along with ranking first in completions (122) and attempts (183). While 37 isn’t considered young in NFL years, Stafford is showing no signs of slowing down and is playing as though he’s still in his prime.
Yet, life for the Stafford family isn’t only about football. Matthew’s wife, Kelly Stafford, who has built her own following as a podcast host, recently shared some deeply personal news with her listeners.
Kelly Stafford Presses Pause on Her Podcast
Kelly, co-host of The Morning After, revealed during a recent episode that she will be stepping away from the show for about a month. The episode, which featured executive producer Kyra Stevens instead of the usual co-host Hank Winchester, gave her the opportunity to explain her decision.
“I wanted to let everyone know that I’ll be taking a short break,” Kelly said. “I’ve been wrestling with where I want this podcast to go. Obviously, my husband and our four daughters are my top priority, and while this show is important to me, it can’t come before them.”
She went on to admit that the podcast has been taking up more of her time than she had anticipated. During her break, she plans to regroup with Stevens to discuss the direction and future of the show.
Kelly also reminded her listeners why she began podcasting in the first place—to build a community that embraces failure, encourages support, and offers laughter and connection. “I leaned on you all, and I hope you leaned on this podcast too,” she said. “Not everything has to be perfect, and that’s okay.”
A Surprise Even for Matthew Stafford
In a revealing moment, Kelly admitted that she hadn’t even shared her decision with Matthew before going public. “Right now, for the sake of my mental health and with it being midseason, I just need to take a step back,” she explained. “This isn’t goodbye. I just need some time to figure out the plan moving forward.”
For now, loyal listeners of The Morning After will have to find another show to fill the gap while Kelly takes her much-needed pause.
