Matthew Stafford's NFL career may be winding down due to a combination of missing significant family moments and the physical toll of injuries, according to his wife, Kelly Stafford.
In a recent appearance on “The Cutting Edge” podcast, Kelly Stafford shared that her husband finds it difficult to miss his daughters' weekend sporting events. With four daughters aged between six and nine, the time away from these milestones weighs on him. "One of the biggest things Matthew can’t stand is that he can’t come to [his kids’] weekend games," she stated. "That’s starting to wear and tear on him, he’s not around for those. And they’re getting to the age… And they’re asking, ‘Well, when is dad gonna come to our games?’"
Kelly Stafford also highlighted the impact of injuries, particularly a chronic back issue, on her husband. Stafford managed an aggravated disc in his back during the 2025 season, which led to him missing significant portions of training camp. Despite this, he went on to win the NFL MVP award. However, Kelly expressed ongoing concern about the long-term effects of head injuries in the sport, noting that "diagnosing it is tough; knowing the repercussions of it is tough."
She elaborated on how injuries affect players emotionally, explaining that their identity is often tied to their performance. "Matthew’s back last year was the worst I’d ever seen him, mentally and emotionally, when it comes to an injury," she added. The chronic nature of his back condition is expected to remain a storyline throughout the remainder of his career.
While Matthew Stafford, 38, has not publicly stated a timeline for his retirement, these two factors—the desire to be more present for his children's growing years and the cumulative effects of injuries—appear to be significant considerations for his future in the NFL.