'Come On Man!': Could Rams QB Matthew Stafford Be Playing in 2027?

By the time the Super Bowl returns to SoFi Stadium in 2027, the Los Angeles Rams could have a new quarterback, as current starter Matthew Stafford is potentially approaching the end of his career.

The NFL announced Wednesday that the Los Angeles Rams and SoFi Stadium will have another chance to host a Super Bowl in 2027. This has left many to wonder what the Rams will look like by then. Will they still have their roster "pillars" of Aaron Donald, Cooper Kupp, and Matthew Stafford? Will the Rams even be in contention for the playoffs at that time? 

All of that is yet to be determined, especially regarding the potential for whether a veteran like Stafford will even be playing in the 2027 season. 

"Come on, man," Stafford said when asked if he'd play in 2027. "That's a long way away."

A long way away, indeed. There are over 1100 days until the Super Bowl returns to Los Angeles, and considering the difference a season can make for a player of Stafford's age, nothing is for certain. 

Dec 10, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) passes against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium.   / Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports

Just a year ago, if the same question were posed about the 35-year-old, many would've likely predicted that he wouldn't be playing in 2027 when he'd be 39. The post-Super Bowl hangover looked real for the Rams last season, and it had more to do with injuries than anything else. 

Look no further than Stafford for an example of how badly the injuries affected the awful 5-12 season. Stafford, then fresh off winning his first Super Bowl ring, endured one of the toughest seasons of his career, playing in just nine games while throwing for 2,087 yards, 10 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. 

And it wasn't just one injury that saw Stafford miss time; it was a multitude that even prompted questions about whether he'd quit his career and retire. 

However, as everyone knows now, that is not what happened, and judging by the fact that he has missed just one game so far this season, it seems he made the right choice. 

Not only has Stafford managed to stay relatively healthy aside from the right thumb injury he suffered in the blowout loss to the Dallas Cowboys, but he has been ever-present for the Rams this season. 

The former No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick has seemingly bounced back, throwing for 3,062 yards with 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions through 12 games. Yet, iin the last four games, the 35-year-old has looked like the best version of himself.

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Stafford has completed 61.3 percent of his passes for 992 yards, 11 touchdowns, and only two interceptions in just his last four games, which has been good enough to help push the Rams back into playoff contention as they currently sit at second place in the NFC West behind only the San Francisco 49ers despite a 6-7 record.

"Absolutely, ..." Stafford said about if he'd like to play for the Super Bowl again in SoFi Stadium. "It was cool. Obviously, that's the one I've ever played in. It was a unique experience getting able to do that at home. Don't know what it would be like anywhere else, but it sure was fun getting it done at our place."

So, while Stafford would undoubtedly want a shot at winning a second Super Bowl, as he learned last season, nothing is guaranteed.