2024 Pre-Season Rank #31, 2023 Pre-Season Rank #37, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #37, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #59, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #67. Peak Period: 2011-15.
A change of scenery can change the perception. Matthew Stafford was a Lion for 12 years, racking up passing yards but only a few wins. A Pro Bowl once in Detroit, Stafford was entrenched as a second-tier QB. The Rams traded for him, and he became a Super Bowl Champion in his first year in Los Angeles, gaining national recognition. Articles were written (and scoffed at) proclaiming him a Hall of Famer, and he isn't as of this writing, but he sure is a hell of a lot closer than he was. Never forget how vital Super Bowl wins are for the Quarterback position for Canton consideration.
Stafford is now on the north side of 35 and is entering his fifth year in L.A. His second Pro Bowl in 2023 will help him, but he needs a lot more despite the Super Bowl win. His key is in his statistical compilation. Currently, he is tenth in Passing Yards (59,809), and could pass Dan Marino (61,361), Matt Ryan (62,792), and Philip Rivers (63,440), and a top-five spot all-time is in his grasp. Say what you want about the previously mentioned three QBs, and that they were better than Stafford (we would agree), but he has a ring.
Comments powered by CComment