Matthew Stafford Turns to Tom Brady And Drew Brees For Advice on Playing Into His 40s

Matthew Stafford has signed a one year contract which will end after the 2026 season.

Matthew Stafford Turns to Tom Brady And Drew Brees For Advice on Playing Into His 40s

Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Matthew Stafford inside the circle (Image via IMAGO)

Matthew Stafford knows very few players play and remain competitive past their 40s. Stafford sought advice from two players who lit up the NFL well into their 40s, i.e., Tom Brady and Drew Brees.

Stafford won the MVP last season and during the reception ceremony announced that he would be returning for an 18th season in the NFL. Shortly after, he penned a one-year extension, which surprised a few.

The 38-year-old Stafford spoke about it in detail in an episode of the Green Light podcast back in June. Stafford revealed that he reached out to Tom Brady and Drew Brees for advice on playing in his 40s.

I talked to [Tom Brady] a little bit [and] I have talked to Drew Brees a little bit about it as well.

Matthew Stafford told Green Light host and former Eagle, Chris Long

The Los Angeles Rams would love for Stafford to continue as their quarterback for as long as he can, but the Pro Bowler argued that he can’t be certain about what the future holds a couple of years down the line.

I don’t want to sit there and say, OK, 24 months from now… I’ve got to be ready to play another [football] season. I’m like… that just seems like a lot. I know that I’m ready to play this year. And hopefully, I feel great at the end of next year, and I’m ready to play another one after that. And then maybe we just kind of keep going like that. But committing to more than that feels a little bit daunting.

Stafford added

Stafford won his first, and so far only, ring in the 2021-22 season. The Rams rewarded him with a four-year, $160 million extension. With the contract scheduled to expire after the 2025 season, the Rams tweaked Stafford’s contract to give him more in bonuses. In May 2026, Stafford signed a one-year, $55 million contract extension.

Trey Wingo on Inside Football asked Rams head coach Sean McVay about Stafford’s future. McVay promptly stated that he believes Stafford still has a lot of juice left in the tank.

I do believe he’s capable of playing a lot longer than people think, God willing, if he’s able to stay healthy. He’s got the choice to be able to decide. He doesn’t have to play, but the fact that he still does, I’m really grateful for that.

Sean McVay said
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Matthew Stafford is mentoring the next generation of Rams quarterbacks

Even though McVay wants Stafford to continue well into his 40s, he also made sure to find a worthy successor just in case the Super Bowl winner decided to call time on his career or picked up a major injury. McVay drafted two-time CFP champion Stetson Bennett in 2023 and former Alabama standout Ty Simpson 13th overall in the 2026 draft.

Matthew Stafford Turns to Tom Brady And Drew Brees For Advice on Playing Into His 40s
Matthew Stafford (Image via IMAGO)

According to league sources, Simpson has held the edge over Bennett during the offseason camp. Simpson shared his experience learning from Stafford in the last few months.

I’ve learned more ball in the last four months of being with him than I had in four years of being in college.

Simpson said on the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast

The Rams play three preseason games against the Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, and Los Angeles Chargers. Per ESPN’s Sarah Barshop, McVay is planning on giving Simpson the run in the friendlies over Bennett.

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