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Matthew Stafford could become this year’s league MVP when it’s all said and done, but the final results for the Los Angeles Rams quarterback weren’t what he or the team expected on Sunday night.
The Seattle Seahawks were NFC champions after defeating the Rams, and Stafford and his teammates returned late to Los Angeles on what was likely a somber flight.
But despite what happened in Seattle, Stafford’s first priority was his family, as his wife, Kelly Stafford, revealed on social media.
No one would blame Stafford if he was still thinking about the loss in the early hours of Monday morning, but his wife showed that her parental duties were the first thing she attended to when she got home.
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Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford with his daughters on the sidelines before facing the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium on Jan. 4, 2026. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
“After leaving everything in that field and coming up short, at 230am, this was Matthew,” Kelly captioned an Instagram Story video from her home camera that shows her husband saying goodnight to each of their four daughters: twins Sawyer and Chandler, Hunter and Tyler.
Making sure your kids are tucked in and sleeping is one of the best feelings as a parent, even when things didn’t go well during the day.
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Stafford, 37, left it all on the turf at Lumen Field on Sunday night, but in the end it wasn’t enough.
A crucial play came on fourth-and-4 near the Seahawks’ goal line, where Stafford had a chance to take the lead with just under five minutes left in the NFC Championship Game.
But, as he dropped back and surveyed the end zone, he attempted a pass to rookie tight end Terrence Ferguson, and it was incomplete with Devon Witherspoon providing tight coverage for the Seattle defense.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford poses with his family before the NFC Wild Card game between the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams game on Sunday, January 14, 2023 at Ford Field in Detroit, MI. (Steven King/Sportswire Icon)
It was a pivotal play, as Sam Darnold and the Seahawks offense had their own chance: get some first downs and ice the game. They killed all but 25 seconds with a methodical drive, and Stafford attempted a miraculous drive deep in his own territory, but ultimately failed.
As the Seahawks celebrated, the Rams, bidding for their first Super Bowl appearance since Stafford helped them win during the 2021 season, left the field disappointed.
Stafford’s final stat line of the season was 22-of-35 for 374 yards with three touchdowns. He was even seen bloodied on his left hand during the game.
As mentioned, Stafford is one of this season’s MVP finalists after leading the league in touchdown passes (46) and passing yards (4,707) while going 12-5 in his 17th NFL season.
The question will likely arise this offseason as to whether Stafford wants to make Year 18 with the Rams a reality. He avoided a question in Seattle about his 2026 future, but seemed focused on getting home and spending time with his family.
Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams is on the field before the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on January 25, 2026 in Seattle. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
In fact, Stafford even thanked his wife and daughters for their support all season long with some gourmet donuts and a nice note, which his wife also shared on social media.
“Thank you for being rock stars to me all season long!” Stafford’s note is read. “You all were the inspiration for dad’s amazing year! We [love] you!!”
