Matthew Stafford’s MVP season has him ranked as the No. 3 quarterback in the NFL heading into 2026, according to ESPN’s annual survey of coaches, executives and scouts.
Stafford, 38, jumped three spots from No. 6 a year ago and pulled in 17% of first-place votes, marking the first time he’s cracked the top half of the rankings since ESPN began the exercise in 2020. He threw 46 touchdown passes against just eight interceptions last season, which was the fourth time in NFL history a quarterback has hit at least 45 touchdowns with fewer than 10 picks. Stafford also led the NFL in passing touchdowns and passing yards on the NFL’s No. 1 offense this past season
“Nobody played better than him last year,” an NFL head coach told ESPN, “and it wasn’t even close.”
Voters pointed to a quarterback who played in rhythm, trusted his receivers and threw with elite anticipation and arm strength. The Rams‘ offseason addition of Davante Adams alongside Puka Nacua gave Stafford two No. 1-caliber targets, making it difficult for defenses to double-team both.
Coaches also credited head coach Sean McVay’s scheme for keeping Stafford upright, particularly the Rams’ use of under-center, three-tight-end sets that doubled as run and pass looks.
“And then you realize, ‘Oh crap, they are actually throwing out of those sets,'” one coach said of McVay’s use of tight ends.
That combination has voters viewing Stafford and McVay as the league’s top quarterback-coach pairing, an AFC offensive coach said.
Not everyone was ready to push Stafford higher, however. Some voters noted the strength of his supporting cast as a reason for hesitation.
“The system helps him,” an NFL coordinator said. “He has an elite offensive coach and elite weapons. He’s great, don’t get me wrong. He has advantages that some of the other quarterbacks don’t have.”
Still, Stafford’s leap into the top three reflects his own progression from a top quarterback to one of the elites. Only Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs ranked higher, and both have also won MVPs. Now, the hope for L.A. is that Stafford can build off his MVP season to produce another Super Bowl before he eventually hangs up his cleats.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: NFL survey rewards Matthew Stafford with high rank after MVP season
