It feels like forever since the Detroit Lions traded longtime franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams, swapping him for Jared Goff. But in reality, it’s only been a few seasons—and Stafford, now 37, is still slinging passes at a high level.
Many expected the 2024-25 season to be Stafford’s last in the NFL. After all, few quarterbacks play deep into their late 30s, and Stafford has battled injuries throughout his career. But instead of retiring, Stafford surprised some by signing a two-year extension to stay in Los Angeles, keeping him under contract through 2026.
CBS Sports analyst Tyler Sullivan recently highlighted Stafford among 10 players who could be playing their final NFL season in 2025. However, he believes Stafford won’t hang it up just yet.
“Stafford flirted with other teams this offseason before deciding to stick with the Rams,” Sullivan wrote. “While retirement has been a looming topic, Stafford is still performing at a high level and the Rams should remain contenders. Unless injury forces his hand, it’ll be tough for him to walk away with the team still in the Super Bowl mix.”
That could mean the Lions will keep seeing their former star quarterback on the opposite sideline, especially if both teams stay in the NFC playoff picture—a storyline many Detroit fans would love to move on from.
Meanwhile, Jared Goff, the quarterback who came to Detroit in the Stafford trade, continues to embrace the Motor City. On June 30, the WNBA announced that a Detroit expansion team was officially approved for the 2029 season. Goff is one of several big-name investors in the new franchise, along with Pistons owner Tom Gores, Lions owner Sheila Hamp, NBA legends Grant Hill and Chris Webber, rapper Eminem, and GM CEO Mary Barra.
Goff’s involvement shows just how committed he is to Detroit on and off the field—and with Stafford sticking around in L.A., the two quarterbacks’ stories could keep colliding for years to come.
Matthew Stafford’s Shocking Plan: No Retirement Yet, Lions Still in His Sights
