Matthew Stafford's Bounce-Back Season A Good Sign For Rams Future

Los Angeles Rams veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford sat out for eight games last season, but this year, he looked like the Stafford of old.

Matthew Stafford looked as good as ever this season, and was perhaps the biggest factor in the "rebuilding" Los Angeles Rams making it to the playoffs.

There were some questions about how effective Stafford would be this season after he missed the final seven games of last year due to injury. That combined with him being 35 years old made his performance this season all the more impressive.

Dec 17, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws against the Washington Commanders during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Head coach Sean McVay talked about how much different of a team the Rams are when Stafford is not on the field in an interview this past offseason with ESPN's Dan Greenspan.

"I don't think I realized it or anybody, and he would never say it because he's so tough, the amount of pain that he was working through, how limited he was," McVay said. "But to have our quarterback, the command, the way that he really elevates [the team], his communication skills, it's been huge for us. He makes a significant difference."

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Stafford made the NFC Pro Bowl roster over players like Jalen Hurts as a result of his great play. The 15-year veteran threw for just under 4000 yards and 24 touchdowns this season. And while he did throw 11 interceptions, only four of those were in the second half of the season, as Stafford elevated his play as the season went on.

The veteran quarterback has confirmed that he will at least be back for another season, as he will look to build off of the success that the team found this year and use it to improve. With young weapons like Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams for him to mentor and help grow, the Rams' future is looking bright.