The divisional-round defeat at the hands of the Eagles left the Rams camp with a lot more questions. After winning the NFC West, the Rams would have thought they had enough in the tank to at least reach the conference championship game. However, two costly fumbles were the difference in the game, one of which came from veteran Matthew Stafford as his 16th NFL season ended in dismay. After the game, Stafford was vague when answering questions about his potential retirement, leaving the door open for a return next season.

Stafford had an impressive game other than his fumble. He went 26-of-44 passes for 324 yards with two touchdown passes in snowy conditions in the Lincoln Field. But the Eagles did enough to prevail 28-22. The QB has seen remarkable success with the franchise in the four years he has spent with them, leading them to Super Bowl success in 2022. But now, is it time for him to hang up his cleats after a second successive playoff heartbreak?

Matthew Stafford’s Kelly Stafford has been a pillar of support for the QB ever since their marriage in 2015. Kelly has been with Stafford every step of the way, celebrating milestones, Super Bowl success, and being there when the going gets tough. On Sunday, after the Rams’ tough loss to the Eagles, she took to Instagram to share an emotional message and pondered over his husband’s retirement from the game.

She posted a slide of images, the first of which was of Matthew surrounded by their four children. A group photo of Matthew with his supporters followed and the mood was captured by Kelly’s heartfelt caption for her husband. “Aren’t enough words to express how proud I am. I joke about us being old and tired but honestly, I could never get tired of watching you out there or watching our girls cheer for their daddy. I’m wondering if this is the end or not… guess we will find out,” she wrote. 

Notably, before the Wild Card game against the Vikings, two of their kids were hospitalized due to a bad case of flu. Yet, they all flew to Arizona and saw Matthew help his team to a  27-9 win. This is the type of support that Stafford has received throughout his run with the Rams.

Kelly’s message might have made things a little murkier than before when it comes to Matthew’s future, but her words suggest that she isn’t sure whether she has seen her husband lace up as a pro footballer for the last time. One thing is for sure if he decides to call it a day, he can look back on an accomplished career as one of the finest QBs of this generation.

Selected twice for the Pro Bowl, Stafford spent the first 11 years of his career with the Detroit Lions, before signing with the Rams. In 2016, he became the fourth quarterback in NFL history to throw for at least 30,000 in their first eight seasons. In 2021, after joining the Rams, he led the team to their first-ever Lombardi Trophy, winning Super Bowl LVI. That season he made history of his own as well.

Stafford finished the regular season and playoffs combined with 6,074 passing yards, and 50 touchdown passes all while leading his team to a Super Bowl victory in the same season, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to hit all of those benchmarks. But now as approaches the age of 37, the talk of retirement is on the table. Against the Eagles, there was a moment that might have him consider that option.

The Rams were trailing 16-15 and were looking likely to go ahead. However, Kyren Williams fumbled it at around midfield, which led to a field goal by the Eagles. On the Rams’ very next drive, Matthew Stafford fumbled in Rams territory, which gave the Eagles another short field, and field goal made it 22-15.

After the game, the question of Stafford’s retirement came up, and though the veteran QB didn’t give a clear answer, he hinted that he wanted to continue playing.

Is Matthew Stafford leaving the Rams?

Following the Super Bowl win, the defending champions couldn’t even make it to the playoffs the next season. The Rams bounced back the following year, making it to the postseason but lost to the Lions in the Wild Card round. This season another playoff defeat has cast a cloud over his future, at least in Los Angeles.

After the game, Stafford spoke to the media, and reporters wasted no time throwing questions about his future. The 36-year-old made it clear he’s not rushing his decisions. “I’ll talk about my present. Obviously, proud to be associated with this group, coaching staff, front office, group of players, training staff, equipment guys, and everybody. It was a hell of an effort all year to get to this point,” he said.

“As far as my future goes, it’s 30 minutes after the last game. I’ll take some time to think about it..I love competing…Next time I am out there, line it up. Let’s do it again,” added Matthew Stafford. When asked if he had some football left in him, he replied, “It sure feels like it.” 

Well, this isn’t the first time retirement rumors have popped up for the QB. Before last season kicked off, there was a lot of talk about him retiring because of his injuries. But Stafford shut down those rumors once he stepped on the field. So now, it’ll be interesting to see what happens after this season. Will he say goodbye, or will he come back for another shot?