Kelly Stafford became emotional while discussing her husband Matthew Stafford’s potential retirement after the Rams’ season ended in a heartbreaking 28-22 loss to the Eagles in the divisional round Sunday.
During the latest installment of her “Timeout” podcast, Kelly explained that she will “have a really hard time” if the quarterback chooses to hang up his jersey for good — and she refuses to push him one way or the other with the decision.
“That is going to be solely his decision,” Kelly, 35, said. “I’m not going to pressure him. I’m here to listen. At the end of the day, he texted me and he was like, ‘We’ll talk about it.’ I was like, ‘You talk, I’ll listen.’ As much as he wants to make it a joint decision, he has to make it. I don’t want him to resent me and I want it to be fully his own.
“So, we are going to take time and he’s going to figure it out. But he’s going to have to figure it out somewhat soon because the Rams need to know.”
Los Angeles coach Sean McVay confirmed that to be the case in a press conference Thursday.
One year ago, Stafford did not agree to an adjusted contract until the day before training camp began.
“We don’t want to have that go on again,” McVay said, per ESPN.com. “I don’t think that’s good for anybody. I think sooner than later, being able to get that clarity. Understanding clear, open and honest communication. I think there’s a lot of love coming from our part. I think there’s a lot of appreciation coming from his part as well. And I think a lot sooner than later is an ideal scenario.”
After a dismal 1-4 start to the season, the Rams came out of their bye week and won nine of the next 11 games — and took home the NFC West тιтle.
Stafford played through a lingering rib injury and completed 26-of-44 pᴀsses for 324 yards for two touchdowns and zero interceptions in Los Angeles’ loss in snowy Philadelphia.
He also had two costly fumbles.
Kelly said he played through four cracked ribs.
“It was a very hard one for him to swallow,” she said of the loss. “It’s not that he was not upset, it’s just the fact that we both now know there is time to spend with each other and for him to spend time with his girls. Family means a lot to him.
“I do believe there is a part of him that’s ready [to retire] and the girls are doing things he doesn’t want to miss out on. And he’s given his life to football, eventually this is going to happen no matter what. If it’s not this year it could be next year. I think he had a great season, and if he wants to go out on that, that’s a f–king proud way to go out.”
Kelly added, “I do believe if it wasn’t a good season he’d be like, ‘F–k this, I’m going back [to play], I’m not going out on a bad one.’”
Stafford and Kelly are parents to daughters Sawyer, 7, Chandler, 7, Hunter, 6, and Tyler, 4.
Stafford, who turns 37 next month, said he would take time to think about his future and that “I feel like I was playing some pretty good football.”
When asked if he has football left in him, Stafford responded, “Sure feels like it.”
Stafford has two years remaining on his contract. The adjustment deal included a $40 million salary in 2024, as Stafford gave up his other 2025 guarantees, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported last July.
“Matthew and I are going to discuss it. If it is over — God, I don’t want to cry — I’m going to have a really hard time because I think he’s playing really good football,” Kelly said. “He’s good at it and I love watching him do what he loves to do and I love the fact that he’s finally getting the respect he deserves.
“So that would suck, but with that said, we woke up this morning, took the kids to school and got breakfast. There was no thought of what we have this week, what time does he have to go into work, if he’ll be home for dinner … It was really nice.”
The Rams acquired Stafford from the Lions in exchange for quarterback Jared Goff and multiple draft picks in March 2021 — and he led Los Angeles to a Super Bowl тιтle that season.
