The NFL world is happy for Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford now that he is a Super Bowl Champion.
As media people are prone to do, there is now a rush to discuss whether Stafford has clinched Hall of Fame status now that he won the Super Bowl.
Thankfully Stafford is too busy enjoying himself to get embroiled in these discussions.
Ladies and gentlemen, Matthew Stafford pic.twitter.com/YRtaiLiygF
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) February 14, 2022
With that being said, it seems a bit premature to fit him for his gold jacket and enshrinement in Canton.
Here are the reasons why.
2. He Is Still Playing
Stafford turned 34 years old during Super Bowl week.
With Tom Brady playing until he was 44, the door is wide open for Stafford to have at least 5-10 more years as an NFL quarterback should he choose to do so.
His body of work is still in progress so it seems unfair to evaluate him mid-career especially when his career just skyrocketed in 2021 after joining the Rams.
This angle of Matthew Stafford's no-look pass. 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/vwWRUsMekn
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) February 14, 2022
1. His Stats Are Not Great
Winning the Super Bowl helps foster the Hall of Fame discussion; however, many players do not win the Super Bowl and still get into the Hall of Fame.
Dan Marino is an excellent example.
He appeared in one Super Bowl and lost the game.
How did Marino become a Hall of Famer?
In short, it is because his individual statistics are amazing.
He won the NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year awards in 1984 in addition to being the NFL passer rating leader that same year.
Marino was the Comeback Player of the Year in 1994 and the Walter Payton Man of the Year in 1998.
He also appeared in 9 Pro Bowls.
That is a short list of his accomplishments in his 17-year career; there are many more.
Stafford, on the other hand, was in 1 Pro Bowl and named Comeback Player of the Year in 2011.
That is the complete list of his individual accolades in his 13-year career.
I'll be honest, I'm shocked that there's already Matthew Stafford Hall of Fame talk after one season in LA.
1) Y'all ignored and disrespected him for 12 years.
2) NO. HE'S NOT A HOF'er WITH ONE SUPER BOWL.
0 All Pros
1 Pro Bowl
0 MVPsThat ain't gonna cut it.
— Jeremy Reisman (@DetroitOnLion) February 7, 2022
Pro-Stafford Argument: He Played On Bad Teams
Stafford fans will make the argument that he played on some pretty bad Detroit Lions teams during the first 12 years of his career.
While that is a true statement, it is worth considering that Calvin Johnson got into the Hall of Fame.
Johnson was also a member of those not great teams but managed to dominate in his position.
.@calvinjohnsonjr shows love to his former QB after the Super Bowl win 🤍💙 pic.twitter.com/icZR2PsW27
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) February 15, 2022
Another famous Detroit Lion who played on bad teams is also in the Hall of Fame.
He is Barry Sanders.
There is no merit to that argument given what Johnson and Sanders were able to accomplish which resulted in enshrinement into the Hall of Fame.
Conclusion
As mentioned above, Stafford is not done.
Joining a new team and offense revived in his career in 2021, and there is no reason to believe he is nearing the end of his career or the accomplishments he can earn.
Matthew Stafford just had a fantastic season. But I agree with @RSherman_25: his body of work isn’t Hall of Fame-worthy…yet. pic.twitter.com/UKpZaKBOxt
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) February 15, 2022
All this means is that we should collectively put a pin in these discussions and revisit them in a few years.
Stafford’s legacy will be more firmly established at that time.
NEXT: Aaron Donald Was Having A Great Time During The Rams Parade
