Veteran quarterback predicted to remain at elite level — if he stays healthy
Former New Orleans Saints star Drew Brees has told media that he believes Matthew Stafford could enjoy “three to four of the best years” of his career ahead of him, despite wider perceptions that the Los Angeles Rams’ quarterback may be approaching the end of his playing days.
Brees based his view on his own experience of late-career peaks, arguing that the combination of well-developed game intelligence and retained physical ability can produce outstanding seasons for older signal-callers. He singled out Stafford during recent comments, saying he had directly told the Rams' veteran the same message.
“I told Matthew Stafford directly, ‘You could have 3 or 4 of the best years of your career coming up.’”
The assessment is notable because Stafford, who won the NFL MVP at age 37 last season, is widely perceived by observers to be toward the latter stages of his professional career. Brees drew a parallel with his own trajectory, having produced very strong performances in his late 30s and leading the league in completion percentage between the ages of 38 and 40.
Implications for the Rams and their rookie quarterback
The Rams selected quarterback Ty Simpson in the first round of this year's draft. Simpson is on a contract that, by standard NFL practice for first-round picks, will run through 2029 with a possible fifth-year option for 2030. He played only one season of college football.
That creates a strategic tension for the Rams: if Stafford continues at elite form for several more seasons, the team could chase further success with a proven starter. Conversely, an early transition would accelerate Simpson's development by giving him playing time sooner.
- Stafford’s recent form: MVP in the last completed season at 37.
- Rookie timeline: Simpson under team control through 2029, with a 2030 option.
- Health caveat: Brees was careful to note that his projection assumes Stafford avoids serious injury.
Health and longevity — the central variable
Brees emphasised the uncertainty that injuries introduce. He pointed to Stafford’s back issues the previous offseason as an example of how physical problems can shape late-career decisions and performance. The former Saints quarterback warned that when players strain to compensate for discomfort, they risk developing negative habits that undermine play.
Those remarks underline a familiar theme in elite sport: performance at an older age is possible, but depends heavily on medical management, conditioning and the avoidance of serious setbacks. If Stafford can combine seasoned reading of defences with the physical resilience he displayed in winning MVP, Brees’s projection would be plausible. If not, the Rams may be compelled to accelerate plans for Simpson’s introduction.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Stafford’s age when winning MVP | 37 |
| Projected best-years remaining (Brees) | 3–4 years |
| Simpson contract control | Through 2029 with a fifth-year option for 2030 |
The Rams’ coaching staff and front office will need to balance immediate competitiveness with long-term personnel planning. Allowing a rookie to sit behind a high-performing veteran can be beneficial if the club believes it has championship windows to pursue; alternatively, transitioning to a younger quarterback sooner can accelerate his learning curve but carries short-term performance risks.
For followers in Stafford and across the West Midlands who enjoy following the NFL, the situation offers a compelling subplot heading into the new season: will the storied veteran deliver more top-level seasons, or will a change of guard begin earlier than many expect? Brees’s endorsement makes clear one thing — at least one Hall of Famer believes the Rams’ No. 9 still has significant football left in him, provided his body holds up.
