Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Getty
Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
Former Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford may have recovered from a long-term injury just in time to make NFL history.
The Los Angeles Rams quarterback dealt with a back injury that kept him out the majority of the offseason and required ongoing treatments, but is ready to start in the team’s season opener. Stafford is on the doorstep of a historic achievement, which could come in Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans.
Matthew Stafford Closing in on History
As SI.com’s Brock Vierra reported, Stafford needs just 200 yards in the season opener to join one of the most exclusive groups in NFL history — the 60,000-yard club.
“If Stafford passes for over 200 yards on Sunday, he will be the tenth quarterback in NFL history to pass for over 60,000 yards,” Vierra wrote.
As Vierra added, Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur wasn’t aware that Stafford was so close to the achievement and said it spoke to his longevity.
“It just shows how consistent he’s been throughout his career,” LaFleur said. “He’s always played really good football. It’s awesome to have him back out there. I know he enjoys this game for many reasons. Maybe one day he’ll look back at all the personal accolades he has. but he loves playing, just being in that huddle, being with the guys, being with the locker room, and you’re not going to find a better competitor out there.”
Stafford got the majority of those yards in his 12 seasons with the Lions. During that time he threw for 45,109 yards with 282 touchdowns and 144 interceptions.
It had been unclear whether Stafford would recover in time to play in the season opener, with the team initially listing him as week-to-week at the start of training camp. But he was able to return to practice late in August and showed enough progress to earn the Week 1 start.
Rams Looking to Contend Behind Matthew Stafford
Stafford’s NFL future appeared uncertain through the early part of this offseason, with some speculation that he could leave the Rams and join a new team before he ultimately signed a new two-year contract.
Despite the two-year commitment, the Rams said they are taking it one season at a time and giving Stafford the leeway to decide whether to retire or return for another NFL season.
The Rams are expected to be Super Bowl contenders this season, building on their unlikely run to the divisional round last year. The team added wide receiver Davante Adams and head coach Sean McVay said Adams and Stafford have already been building a connection.
“I think it was really on display in the spring where they got a bunch of good reps,” McVay said, via SI.com. “In those settings it’s almost like a passing camp. You don’t get as many runs off. I thought that was great for them to be able to get that rapport. Since Matthew has been back out here… these guys, they see the game through a very similar lens. It’s been awesome. That was the goal in mind. It will be exciting to see those guys bring it to life against a great challenge and a great defense on Sunday.”