Matthew Stafford Career Stats

Matthew Stafford Career Stats: A Deep Dive into the Gunslinger

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October 15, 2025

Hey there, football fans! If you’re anything like me, there’s something magical about watching a quarterback who can sling it downfield like it’s no big deal. Enter Matthew Stafford – the guy with the cannon arm, the ice in his veins, and a knack for turning games on their head. Whether you’re a die-hard Lions fan reminiscing about those gritty Detroit days or a Rams supporter celebrating that Super Bowl magic, Matthew Stafford Career Stats tell a story of resilience, raw talent, and pure football poetry.

In this article, we’re breaking down Matthew Stafford’s career stats in a way that’s easy to follow – no jargon overload, just straightforward insights with tables to make it all crystal clear. We’ll cover his overall numbers, year-by-year breakdowns, key milestones, and what makes him one of the NFL’s all-time greats. Grab a snack, settle in, and let’s throw it deep into Stafford’s incredible ride. By the end, you’ll see why “Matthew Stafford career stats” isn’t just numbers – it’s a highlight reel in digits.

Who Is Matthew Stafford? A Quick Intro to the Man Under Center

Before we geek out on the stats, let’s set the scene. Matthew Stafford was born on February 7, 1988, in Tampa, Florida, but grew up in Texas – that classic football hotbed. He starred at Highland Park High School, where he threw for over 6,000 yards and 67 touchdowns. College took him to the University of Georgia, where he led the Bulldogs to an SEC Championship game and racked up 7,731 passing yards and 51 TDs over three seasons.

The Detroit Lions made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, and boy, did they get a steal. Stafford’s arm strength was legendary from day one – scouts called him a “prototypical pocket passer” with velocity that could make receivers flinch. He spent 12 seasons in Detroit, battling injuries, rebuilding phases, and heartbreaking close calls. Then, in a blockbuster trade to the Los Angeles Rams in 2021, he found his promised land: a Super Bowl LVI win over the Bengals, where he threw for 283 yards and two scores.

Now 37 years old (as of 2025), Stafford’s still slinging it for the Rams, proving Father Time hasn’t caught up yet. His career? A testament to why we love this game – highs, lows, and everything in between. And speaking of numbers, let’s get to the good stuff: Matthew Stafford career stats.

Matthew Stafford Career Stats: The Big Picture

Stafford’s overall career stats are the stuff of quarterback dreams. As of October 2025, he’s played 16 seasons, started 205 games, and cemented his place among the elite. He’s crossed the 60,000-yard mark – only the 10th QB in NFL history to do so – and his touchdown total screams Hall of Fame potential.

Here’s a clean, easy-to-read table summarizing his career passing stats. (Rushing and other categories? We’ll hit those next.)

Category Total League Rank (Active)
Games Played 216
Games Started 205
Pass Completions 4,463 6th
Pass Attempts 7,062 7th
Completion % 63.2% 15th
Passing Yards 60,252 6th
Yards per Attempt 8.5 3rd
Passing TDs 362 7th
Interceptions 176 10th
Passer Rating 94.6 8th

Note: Stats updated through Week 6 of the 2025 season. Ranks among active players.

Whoa, right? That 8.5 yards per attempt? It’s elite – think of it as Stafford’s signature: every throw has a chance to go big. His 362 touchdowns put him in rarified air, just behind guys like Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson among actives. And don’t sleep on the efficiency – a 94.6 passer rating means he’s been clutch more often than not.

But stats aren’t just totals; they’re about pace. Stafford hit 60,000 yards faster than most legends, reaching 30,000 in just 109 games (an NFL record since the merger). He’s got the sixth-most passing yards per game all-time at 279.0. If you’re searching “Matthew Stafford career stats,” this is the snapshot that hooks you – a guy who’s thrown for more yards than Brett Favre in fewer seasons.

Year-by-Year Breakdown: Tracking Stafford’s Evolution

One of the coolest parts of diving into Matthew Stafford career stats is seeing how he’s grown. From a raw rookie dodging blitzes in Detroit to a seasoned vet dissecting defenses in L.A., his numbers tell a story of adaptation.

Below is a year-by-year passing stats table. I’ve kept it simple: games started (GS), completions-attempts (C-A), yards (YDS), TDs (TD), interceptions (INT), and passer rating (RTG). Bold years highlight his Pro Bowl nods or standout seasons.

Year Team GS C-A YDS TD INT RTG
2009 DET 10 169-404 1,699 13 6 74.2
2010 DET 3 76-165 1,184 6 8 71.0
2011 DET 16 369-571 5,038 41 16 104.6
2012 DET 15 339-638 4,967 20 17 79.8
2013 DET 16 371-635 4,497 29 19 89.7
2014 DET 14 363-602 4,257 24 15 86.6
2015 DET 15 398-570 4,262 32 13 98.0
2016 DET 15 388-591 4,551 24 10 93.0
2017 DET 15 395-555 3,753 29 10 97.1
2018 DET 15 430-555 4,359 21 12 93.5
2019 DET 16 422-566 4,275 24 8 99.3
2020 DET 16 424-558 4,084 26 10 96.2
2021 LAR 17 404-560 4,521 41 17 102.9
2022 LAR 9 179-283 2,087 10 4 93.5
2023 LAR 15 356-515 3,965 24 11 92.7
2024 LAR 14 312-451 3,590 19 8 95.2
2025 LAR 6 132-208 1,684 12 2 110.5

2025 stats through Week 6. Bold = Pro Bowl or major award year.

Look at that 2011 explosion – 5,038 yards and 41 TDs! Stafford was on fire, earning Comeback Player of the Year after a brutal injury-plagued start to his career. Injuries sidelined him early (only 3 starts in 2010), but by 2011, he was the king of fourth-quarter comebacks, leading the Lions to their first playoff win in a decade.

Fast-forward to L.A.: His 2021 debut? Pure fireworks. Stafford threw for 41 TDs again, topping it off with a Super Bowl ring. The 2022 dip? Yeah, an elbow injury, but he bounced back strong in 2023 with nearly 4,000 yards. And 2025? At age 37, he’s hotter than ever – that 110.5 rating screams vintage Stafford. These year-by-year stats show why fans love him: consistency amid chaos.

Rushing, Fumbles, and the Full Stafford Stat Package

Stafford’s not just a pocket statue – he’s mobile when it counts. His rushing stats add flavor to the Matthew Stafford career stats pie. He’s no Lamar Jackson, but those scrambles have saved games.

Here’s a quick table for his career rushing and fumbles:

Category Total Per Game Avg
Rushing Yards 1,296 6.0
Rushing TDs 12
Attempts 539
Fumbles Lost 39
Fumbles Total 74

Those 12 rushing scores? Clutch sneaks and scrambles that scream “guts.” Fumbles are higher than ideal (that gunslinger style invites risks), but they’ve rarely derailed him. Overall, Stafford’s total offensive yards sit at 61,548 – a monster number for a pure passer.

Milestones and Records: Why Stafford’s Stats Stand Out

What makes Matthew Stafford career stats pop? Milestones, baby! He’s the fastest to 40,000 yards (just 147 games) and hit 50,000 before turning 35 – joining legends like Marino and Manning. In 2025, he became the 10th QB to top 60,000 yards with a simple 6-yard dart to Puka Nacua against the Texans. That’s not just volume; it’s velocity.

Records? Stafford owns the NFL mark for most attempts in a season (727 in 2012) and has 36 fourth-quarter comebacks – tied for third all-time. He’s thrown for 5,000+ yards twice (2011, and nearly in 2012), and his 279.0 yards per game ranks sixth forever. Pro Football Reference calls him an active leader in completions, attempts, yards, and TDs. Hall of Fame whispers? Getting louder.

Stafford’s Impact: Beyond the Box Score

Stats are great, but Stafford’s magic is in the moments. Remember that 2011 Lions playoff win over the Cowboys? 380 yards, three TDs, pure arm talent. Or Super Bowl LVI: Down 20-10, he engineers two scoring drives like it’s a walkthrough. His “comeback kid” rep – 38 game-winning drives – turns losses into legends.

Off the field? Stafford’s a family man with four daughters, married to college sweetheart Kelly. He’s battled through concussions, a spinal injury, and even supported Kelly through a brain tumor scare in 2019. That resilience? It fuels his stats.

Comparing Stafford to the Greats: Where Does He Rank?

To appreciate Matthew Stafford career stats, stack ’em up. Against active QBs:

QB Passing Yards TDs INTs Rating
Matthew Stafford 60,252 362 176 94.6
Aaron Rodgers 59,055 475 110 103.9
Russell Wilson 47,123 334 114 100.4
Derek Carr 39,888 242 107 93.3

Stafford’s yards and TDs shine, though his INTs reflect that aggressive style. Versus all-time greats like Brady (89,214 yards) or Brees (80,358), he’s climbing fast. At his pace, 70,000 yards isn’t crazy. Analysts say he’s top-10 all-time in efficiency, especially post-30.

The Future: What’s Next for Stafford’s Stats?

As of 2025, Stafford’s under contract with the Rams through 2026, but whispers of retirement swirl. With 1,684 yards and 12 TDs already this season, he’s defying odds. If he plays two more years at his clip? Add 8,000+ yards, pushing him toward 68,000 total. Legacy-wise, he’s a lock for Canton – those stats, that ring, that arm.

Wrapping It Up: Why Matthew Stafford Career Stats Inspire

There you have it – a full rundown of Matthew Stafford Career Stats, from rookie jitters to Super Bowl glory. Whether it’s the totals that wow you or the year-by-year grit, Stafford reminds us football’s about heart as much as highlights. He’s not perfect (those INTs!), but man, is he entertaining.

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