Matthew Stafford Reacts to Tom Brady Picking Him for NFL MVP Over Drake Maye

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford said he was "humbled" to be the 2025 MVP pick of Fox analyst and retired star Tom Brady.

"I obviously have so much respect, like everybody does, for what Tom was able to accomplish in his career and his view of the game and how he sees it," Stafford said starting at the 16:45 mark in the newest episode of the Let's Go! podcast. "He's got as good an eye as anybody, just from experience and the mind that he has. So I'm humbled to be his choice."

Later in the episode, Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby agreed with Brady and said Stafford is "without a doubt" the deserving candidate.

"I've been a huge Matthew Staffford fan since I was all the way back in Michigan; I grew up a diehard Detroit Lions fan," Crosby said. "... It's crazy to see what he's done with his career, with his path. The way he's evolved, even at his age. It's unbelievable to see. I think he's one of the greatest quarterbacks to do it."

Stafford led the NFL in passing yards (4,707) and touchdown passes (46) while guiding the Rams to a 12-5 record. Brady argued Sunday on Fox that that should be enough to put the three-time Pro Bowler ahead of the New England Patriots' Drake Maye for MVP:

Beyond the production, Rams head coach Sean McVay explained to ESPN's Sarah Barshop what helps set Stafford apart.

The 17-year veteran "can see" a playcall as it's coming in from the sideline. That helps him look directly at his teammates in the huddle and provide any quick insight before they hit the line of scrimmage.

"This is next level s--t that he does," McVay said. "It's really special. ... I think it's a real edge and difference for us."

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Rams center Coleman Shelton called Stafford "the smartest football player I've ever played with."

"It's like having your position coach right next to you the whole time while he's doing everything else," he told Barshop.

Wide receiver Davante Adams also described Stafford as "the chillest dude," and his composure rubs off on the rest of the offense. Adams cited in particular Stafford's reaction to throwing an interception in a Week 2 win over the Tennessee Titans.

"To be honest, the most impressive thing to me watching him today was his demeanor after he threw that pick," he said. "I told him during the game, 'Bro, you are just the coolest dude I've been around.' He's not cussing, he's not blaming anybody, he [just kind of acted] like it happened in practice. There's obviously another side to it where you can not care enough, but you could just tell he's dialed in, locked in, and not going to let stuff like that rattle him.

"That kind of radiates throughout the rest of the team, that type of poise and confidence."

Maye has assembled a strong MVP resume himself. He threw for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns and led the NFL in completion percentage (72.0). Meanwhile, the Patriots won 14 games and claimed their first AFC East title since 2019.

Maye and Stafford seem to be neck and neck, so either player could come out on top.

Whether he wins or not, it's clear Stafford's teammates on the Rams understand his value on the field.