The chatter surrounding Matthew Stafford this off-season has been all over the map based on his age and recent injury history, plus the noise about Stetson Bennett IV as the Los Angeles Rams’ quarterback of the future.
So it’s easy to forget that, when healthy, Stafford is one of the best QBs in the NFL.
So as Rams fans await Stafford’s on-field debut to the 2025 season, The Athletic named him the No. 5 quarterback in the NFL while achieving Tier 1 status for the first time.
Stafford, who of course guided the Rams to their lone Super Bowl championship in Los Angeles in 2021-22, will turn 38 in February and is dealing with back soreness. He has not yet practiced this year and ceded the starting role in LA’s preseason opener against Dallas to Bennett.
Why Did Matthew Stafford Achieve Tier 1 Status On The Athletic’s List?
Stafford is no stranger to the top of The Athletic’s list. But after 11 straight years on Tier 2 on the list, compiled by Mike Sando, Stafford finally cracked the top-5 thanks to 26 Tier 1 votes, 23 Tier 2 votes and one outlier Tier 3 vote.
Tier 1s are reserved for the best of the best. Tier 2 is considered a top-10 QB. The QB calibers get lower as the tiers go up, and The Athletic polled talent evaluators about 34 active QBs.
“I always had a high admiration for him as a competitor, arm talent and playmaker, but always thought he was a gunslinger,” one voter said. “He still has that in him, but his mind, his ability to process, think and communicate stand out.”
According to Sando, seven defensive coordinators, three general managers and three former general managers had him as a Tier 1 QB, though at least on DC was complimentary but also poked fun at offensive-minded coaches.
“I guarantee all your 1s for Stafford came from offensive coaches,” a defensive coordinator said. “Offensive coaches kiss this guy’s a– all the time, especially guys from that system.
“He’s really good, though. I would take him over (Justin) Herbert because he is a better passer, with better timing.”
Another defensive coordinator vacillated between voting Stafford between a 1 and a 2.
“That dude is something,” a defensive coordinator said. “Every time I watch him, I go, ‘Whoa!’ He is a high 2.
“There is really nothing [keeping him from Tier 1 status]. He’s a 1. He’s that good. They are a play away from (the NFC Championship Game) last year. He worries the s— out of you.”
What Quarterbacks Were Ranked Ahead of Matthew Stafford?
That Stafford was considered a Tier 1 QB and ranked No. 5 may be surprising to some. But the top-4 on the list shouldn’t be.
Stafford trailed only co-Nos. 1 Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow, No. 3 Josh Allen and No. 4 Lamar Jackson as the fellow Tier 1 quarterbacks.
Burrow and Stafford are the only non-MVPs in Tier 1, but Mahomes and Stafford are the only Tier 1 QBs to win the Super Bowl. Stafford, of course, won Super Bowl LVI at the expense of Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals, 23-20 on Feb. 13, 2022.
Here is the full list of Tier 1 and 2 QBs from The Athletic, per talent evaluators.
*Tier 1 QB. **Tier 2 QB
T1. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals*
T1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs*
3. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills*
4. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens*
5. Matthew Stafford, Rams*
6. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders**
7. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers**
8. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions**
T9. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans**
T9. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles**
11. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers**
12. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys**
13. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers**
14. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers**
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