Matthew Stafford's wife, Kelly, has indicated that the Los Angeles Rams quarterback may consider retiring from the NFL due to a desire to spend more time with his daughters and concerns about the physical toll of the sport.
Despite a highly successful 2025 season that saw Stafford lead the league in passing yards (4,707), yards per game (276.9), and passing touchdowns (46), culminating in his first MVP award, family commitments are becoming a significant factor. "One of the biggest things Matthew can't stand is that he can't come to [his kids'] weekend games," Kelly Stafford stated on "The Cutting Edge" podcast. She added that their four daughters, who range in age from six to nine, are beginning to ask why he cannot attend their events.
Beyond family, lingering injuries are also a concern. Stafford, 38, has managed pain from issues like an aggravated disc in his back, and Kelly expressed worries about the long-term effects. "With the injury stuff, too, Matthew has had his fair share. And now the lingering ones, as he gets older in this league," she said. She also highlighted the emotional and mental challenges associated with injuries in professional sports, noting that Stafford's back issue last year was the most difficult she had seen him experience from an injury standpoint.
Matthew and Kelly Stafford, who met in college at the University of Georgia and married in April 2015, were recently in attendance at the wedding of Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift in New York City. Stafford's performance in the 2025 season led the Rams to a strong showing, earning him league-wide recognition.
