Rams' Matthew Stafford Reveals Tom Brady, Drew Brees Conversations About Playing in NFL in His 40s

Matthew Stafford isn't sure how long he plans on continuing his NFL career, but he has at least talked with Tom Brady and Drew Brees about playing into his 40s.

"I talked to [Brady] a little bit, I've talked to Drew Brees a little bit about it as well," the 38-year-old said on the Green Light with Chris Long podcast (2:50 mark).

"It is year-to-year because I think it's fair to the team, I think it's fair to me, my family—I don't want to sit there and say, OK, 24 months from now, I've got to be ready to play another football season. I'm like, phew, that just seems like a lot. I know that I'm ready to play this year. And hopefully, I feel great at the end of next year, and I'm ready to play another one after that. And then maybe we just kind of keep going like that. But, committing to more than that feels a little bit daunting. And I think a little bit unfair to the team and myself.

"So, the last thing I want to do is sign some five-year extension, and after one year be like, 'Oh man, I'm ready to retire. I want to spend time with my family.' And they're sitting there with four years on the books and had a bunch of planning done that I was going to be around. I don't want to play football not all the way in it, too, and just be half-assed leading it."

There may not be a better person in league history to turn to for advice than Brady when it comes to playing past 40 years old.

The legend played through his age-45 campaign in 2022 and won two Super Bowls after turning 40 years old. As if that wasn't enough, he led the league in passing yards (5,316) and passing touchdowns (43) during his age-44 season in 2021.

Brady remaining on the short list of the best quarterbacks in the NFL all the way until he turned 45 years old is a testament to his overall greatness. Brees didn't play as long, going through his age-41 season in 2020, but he led the NFL in completion percentage (74.3) in his penultimate campaign.

And he also caught Stafford's attention.

"I think one of the things that surprised me is, I was talking to Drew—this was before last season—and he was like, 'How old are you, again?' I was like, 'I'm 37,'" the Los Angeles Rams quarterback said. "He's like, 'You might have your best five years of your career coming up.' And I was like, 'Huh. I never really thought about it that way.'

"You're taught as a player in this league it's a young man's game and the older you get, you're just kind of doing everything you can to try to stay up to par with everybody else. And Drew saying that kind of lit a fire under me, and it gives you a little bit of belief that maybe an old guy can go out there and spin it around a little bit.

"Obviously, last year was a successful year for our team and for myself. And just gives you a little bit of energy moving forward and hope that that continues."

It was clear it did light a fire under Stafford, as all he did last season was win the league MVP and lead the NFL in passing yards (4,707 yards) and passing touchdowns (46). The Rams also reached the NFC Championship Game, although they lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.

It doesn't look like Stafford is slowing down anytime soon, and opposing defenses might have to blame Brady and Brees for that given the advice they have been providing.