Rams Matthew Stafford a 'Dark Horse' MVP Candidate in 2023?

The Los Angeles Rams have a dark horse candidate for MVP in Matthew Stafford, if you ask NFL.com that is.

The Los Angeles Rams only got nine games out of Matthew Stafford in the dismal Super Bowl follow-up season that was 2022. But if you ask NFL.com, Stafford is a dark horse to bet on for 2023's NFL MVP.

"A future Hall of Famer in my book, Stafford should still be ready to rock in his age-35 season. Especially with Cooper Kupp poised to bounce back from an injury-abbreviated season of his own," NFL.com wrote.

And a complete turnaround year this fall is necessary if Stafford wants to sneak into the MVP conversation — or stay a reliable option at quarterback.

Over his shortened 2022, the veteran threw for just 2,087 yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions. What's more, Stafford had a league-leading 17 picks during the Rams' Super Bowl run.

But you can scratch all of the recent woes. A bounceback is apparently guaranteed.

"The Rams are going to be better than you think," the article continued. "McVay's an elite coach. He'll have this team poised to rebound in a major way. When the Rams exceed expectations, Stafford will get a lot of earned love."

Stafford has played 14 seasons in the NFL. He has never won an MVP, and he's +5000 odds to do it in 2023. Kupp is also the lone star wideout Stafford has to throw to.

The odds are stacked all the way against the aging Stafford, but Payton Manning won an MVP at 37, Aaron Rodgers notched one at the same age and Tom Brady received the honor at 40.

Stafford's clock hasn't run out, and maybe 2023 turns into an aggressive resurgence.

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