Bill Belichick Sees One Major Parallel Between Matthew Stafford and Tom Brady

Stafford leads the league with 21 passing touchdowns after eight games.

Bill Belichick Sees One Major Parallel Between Matthew Stafford and Tom Brady

Matthew Stafford, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick (Image via IMAGO)

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Matthew Stafford is playing some of the best football of his life at the age of 37. The Los Angeles Rams are 6-2, and Stafford is firmly in the driver’s seat for his first-ever NFL MVP title.

His numbers speak for themselves. Stafford is the first quarterback in the Rams’ history to throw 21+ TD passes from Weeks 1-9. As remarkable as it may sound, this is the second time he’s achieved the feat.

Stafford leads the league with 21 passing touchdowns, which is three more than the next best, Justin Herbert (18), while playing in one fewer game. As the saying goes, quarterbacks become better over time, but he’s at a stage when quarterbacks tend to regress. Stafford is experiencing a resurgence.

Such accomplishments don’t remain hidden from the world. Even former NFL head coach Bill Belichick is closely monitoring Stafford’s season. In a recent segment of the ‘Lets’ F**** Go‘ podcast, Belichick showered the ultimate praise by comparing Stafford with Tom Brady‘s twilight years with the New England Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

I don’t want to put [Matthew Stafford] in a class with Tom, but it’s reminiscent of Brady, where it keeps getting better and better and better. He’s gotten smarter. He understands more. He knows how to use his weapons, maybe just a split second quicker. He’s harder to fool.

Bill Belichick said

The comparison is bold, but Brady’s production on the field was on a completely different level. From 2014, when he turned 37, until his retirement in 2022 at 45, Brady made six Pro Bowls, went 103-39, won three Super Bowls, and threw for 40,065 passing yards and 290 touchdowns. There’s every chance that Stafford could go on a similar run before walking away from football. However, Brady will always remain the most clutch quarterback ever to play the game.

Matthew Stafford reacted to Bill Belichick comparing him to Tom Brady

Stafford later joined the podcast and, upon hearing Belichick’s praise, he quickly returned the favor.

I appreciate those words from Coach… As my body changes, as the league changes, you gotta keep up with all of it. I put a lot of time and energy into trying to do that. I play this game for the respect of the guys I play with and the respect of the people I compete against. Means a lot to come from Coach, so I appreciate that.

Stafford said
Bill Belichick Sees One Major Parallel Between Matthew Stafford and Tom Brady
Matthew Stafford (Image via IMAGO)

Ironically, Stafford came very close to leaving the Rams in the offseason. He faced a bump in the road while recovering from a back injury. Moreover, reports claimed that he wanted a better deal compared to the one he was on.

The Rams allowed Stafford to speak with other teams. Teams such as the New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, and Pittsburgh Steelers tried to entice him with offers up to $100 million for two years.

Stafford eventually opted to remain in LA rather than moving his family to Vegas or the Big Apple. The Rams agreed to adjust his contract, increasing his yearly income.

Sean McVay, the Rams’ head coach, breathed a sigh of relief when Stafford stayed with the Rams.

We have a chance with him every time he’s at the switch, and love working with him. And I think he can play as long as he wants, but fortunately, I’m hoping it’s a couple more years.

Sean McVay said

The Rams play against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 10. Stafford has posted a passer rating of 88.5 with 3,170 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions in 12 games against the Niners so far in his career.

These two teams met in Week 5, with the Niners winning 26-23. Stafford threw 30 completions for 389 yards and 3 touchdowns.

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