Hey there, football fans! Imagine stepping into the huddle with a quarterback who’s got ice in his veins, a cannon for an arm, and a knack for turning deficits into dream wins. That’s Matthew Stafford Career Stats in a nutshell. Born on February 7, 1988, in Tampa, Florida, Stafford has been lighting up scoreboards since he was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. From his gritty days with the Detroit Lions to his Super Bowl glory with the Los Angeles Rams, Stafford’s journey is one of resilience, record-breaking throws, and pure heart.
In this article, we’ll break down his career stats in a way that’s as straightforward as a wide-open slant route. Whether you’re a die-hard Rams fan, a Lions loyalist still cheering from afar, or just someone scrolling through stats on a lazy Sunday, I’ve got you covered. We’ll chat about his early promise, those heartbreaking near-misses, his triumphant trade, and of course, a full table of numbers that’ll make you appreciate just how elite this guy is. By the end, you’ll see why Stafford isn’t just a stat sheet – he’s a story. Let’s snap the ball and get into it!
The College Days: Building the Foundation in Athens
Before Stafford was dodging blitzes in the pros, he was slinging it for the Georgia Bulldogs under coach Mark Richt. As a true freshman in 2006, he backed up senior DJ Shockley, but by his sophomore year, he was the man. In 2008, his junior season, Stafford threw for 3,459 yards and 25 touchdowns, leading Georgia to an 10-3 record and earning SEC Freshman of the Year honors (retroactively, since he started as a frosh in spots).
What made him special? That rocket arm. He once threw a 70-yard touchdown on a frozen sideline – stuff of legends. Scouts drooled over his 6’3″, 225-pound frame and that velocity that could ping a receiver’s hands from 50 yards out. The Detroit Lions, coming off a dismal 0-16 season in 2008, saw their savior and drafted him first overall in ’09. Little did they know, they’d get 12 years of fireworks, frustration, and fourth-quarter magic.
Rookie to Record-Setter: The Detroit Lions Era (2009-2020)
Stafford’s NFL debut? A tale as old as time for Lions fans: high hopes, harsh reality. In 2009, he started 10 games, throwing for 2,267 yards, 13 TDs, and a league-high 20 picks as a 21-year-old. Injuries nagged him – a knee issue sidelined him late – but flashes of brilliance shone through, like his 380-yard game against Cleveland.
By 2010, another injury (collarbone) limited him to three starts. But oh, 2011? That was the explosion. Stafford bounced back like a rubber ball, tossing 5,038 yards and 41 touchdowns – tying the Lions’ single-season record. He led Detroit to their first playoff win since 1991, a 45-28 thrashing of the Buccaneers. Nicknamed “Comeback Stafford” for his seven game-winning drives that year, he earned AP Comeback Player of the Year. It felt like the Lions were finally contenders.
The next few seasons were a rollercoaster. In 2012, Stafford set an NFL record with 727 attempts, racking up 4,967 yards but only 20 TDs amid a porous O-line that saw him sacked a ton. He battled through 2013-2014 with Calvin Johnson (aka Megatron) as his favorite target, hitting career highs in TDs (29 in ’13) and earning his first Pro Bowl nod in ’14. But playoffs? Heartbreak city – wild-card exits in 2011, 2014, and 2016, often marred by penalties or defensive lapses.
Injuries piled up: a broken back in 2019, COVID in 2020. Yet Stafford kept producing. His 2015 season (4,262 yards, 32 TDs) and 2017 (4,446 yards, 99.3 rating) showed elite arm talent. Over 12 seasons in Detroit, he started every game he played, amassing 45,109 passing yards – the most ever for a QB without a playoff victory at the time. He held the Lions’ records for yards, TDs, and attempts. But whispers grew: Was it time for a change? In January 2021, Stafford requested a trade, ending an era of loyalty amid losing (77-91-1 record as starter).
Fun fact for the kids: Stafford’s fourth-quarter comebacks? He had 38 by the end of his career, more than anyone since 2009. That’s the stuff that keeps fans yelling at the TV in the best way.
The Hollywood Glow-Up: Joining the Los Angeles Rams (2021-Present)
Picture this: Stafford, fresh off a trade to the Rams for Jared Goff and picks, steps into a Super Bowl-or-bust locker room with Sean McVay calling plays. It was like giving a sports car a Ferrari engine. In 2021, his Rams debut season, Stafford threw for 4,886 yards and 41 TDs – matching his ’11 high – with a career-best 102.9 rating. He connected with Cooper Kupp for magic, and in the playoffs? Stafford was unstoppable: 1,188 yards and nine TDs across four games, including two scores in Super Bowl LVI against the Bengals. MVP of the game? You bet. Ring No. 1 at age 33.
2022 brought bumps – an elbow injury limited him to nine starts (2,087 yards), but he still guided LA to the playoffs. Then 2023: Back from a spinal issue, Stafford posted 3,965 yards and 24 TDs, earning his second Pro Bowl and a fourth-quarter comeback win over Seattle that had fans chanting his name. By 2024, at 36, he was slinging 3,762 yards with a 93.7 rating, proving Father Time’s got nothing on him.
Fast-forward to 2025, and Stafford’s still cooking. Through seven games, he’s at 1,866 yards and 17 TDs with just two picks – a blistering 109.3 rating. He set an International Series record with five TD passes in London against Jacksonville. At 37, he’s chasing 62,000 career yards, mentoring young guns like Puka Nacua, and leading the Rams’ surprising 5-2 start. From Motown misery to SoCal success, Stafford’s reinvention shows what grit looks like.
Matthew Stafford Career Stats: The Numbers Don’t Lie
Alright, let’s get to the meat – the stats! I’ve pulled together a comprehensive table from reliable sources like Pro-Football-Reference. This covers his regular-season passing and rushing year-by-year, plus career totals and postseason highlights. It’s laid out simple: no jargon, just yards, scores, and those clutch moments. Think of it as your cheat sheet for trivia night or arguing with your uncle at Thanksgiving.
Regular Season Passing Stats
| Season | Team | Games Played | Completions | Attempts | Completion % | Yards | TDs | INTs | Passer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | DET | 10 | 201 | 377 | 53.3% | 2,267 | 13 | 20 | 61.0 |
| 2010 | DET | 3 | 57 | 96 | 59.4% | 535 | 6 | 1 | 91.3 |
| 2011 | DET | 16 | 421 | 663 | 63.5% | 5,038 | 41 | 16 | 97.2 |
| 2012 | DET | 16 | 435 | 727 | 59.8% | 4,967 | 20 | 17 | 79.8 |
| 2013 | DET | 16 | 371 | 634 | 58.5% | 4,650 | 29 | 19 | 84.2 |
| 2014 | DET | 16 | 363 | 602 | 60.3% | 4,257 | 22 | 12 | 85.7 |
| 2015 | DET | 16 | 398 | 592 | 67.2% | 4,262 | 32 | 13 | 97.0 |
| 2016 | DET | 16 | 388 | 594 | 65.3% | 4,327 | 24 | 10 | 93.3 |
| 2017 | DET | 16 | 371 | 565 | 65.7% | 4,446 | 29 | 10 | 99.3 |
| 2018 | DET | 16 | 367 | 555 | 66.1% | 3,777 | 21 | 11 | 89.9 |
| 2019 | DET | 8 | 187 | 291 | 64.3% | 2,499 | 19 | 5 | 106.0 |
| 2020 | DET | 16 | 339 | 528 | 64.2% | 4,084 | 26 | 10 | 96.3 |
| 2021 | LAR | 17 | 404 | 601 | 67.2% | 4,886 | 41 | 17 | 102.9 |
| 2022 | LAR | 9 | 206 | 303 | 68.0% | 2,087 | 10 | 8 | 87.4 |
| 2023 | LAR | 15 | 326 | 521 | 62.6% | 3,965 | 24 | 11 | 92.5 |
| 2024 | LAR | 16 | 340 | 517 | 65.8% | 3,762 | 20 | 8 | 93.7 |
| 2025* | LAR | 7 | 160 | 242 | 66.1% | 1,866 | 17 | 2 | 109.3 |
| Career Totals | 229 | 5,464 | 8,471 | 64.7% | 61,675 | 394 | 202 | 88.2 |
*2025 stats through Week 7.
Regular Season Rushing Stats
| Season | Team | Games Played | Attempts | Yards | TDs | Yards per Carry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | DET | 10 | 20 | 108 | 2 | 5.4 |
| 2010 | DET | 3 | 4 | 11 | 1 | 2.8 |
| 2011 | DET | 16 | 22 | 78 | 0 | 3.5 |
| 2012 | DET | 16 | 35 | 126 | 4 | 3.6 |
| 2013 | DET | 16 | 37 | 69 | 2 | 1.9 |
| 2014 | DET | 16 | 43 | 93 | 2 | 2.2 |
| 2015 | DET | 16 | 44 | 159 | 1 | 3.6 |
| 2016 | DET | 16 | 37 | 207 | 2 | 5.6 |
| 2017 | DET | 16 | 29 | 98 | 0 | 3.4 |
| 2018 | DET | 16 | 25 | 71 | 0 | 2.8 |
| 2019 | DET | 8 | 20 | 66 | 0 | 3.3 |
| 2020 | DET | 16 | 29 | 112 | 0 | 3.9 |
| 2021 | LAR | 17 | 32 | 43 | 0 | 1.3 |
| 2022 | LAR | 9 | 13 | 9 | 1 | 0.7 |
| 2023 | LAR | 15 | 21 | 65 | 0 | 3.1 |
| 2024 | LAR | 16 | 30 | 41 | 0 | 1.4 |
| 2025* | LAR | 7 | 17 | -2 | 0 | -0.1 |
| Career Totals | 229 | 1,013 | 1,247 | 27 | 1.2 |
Postseason Stats (Passing and Rushing Combined)
Stafford’s playoff resume? 10 games, 2,732 total yards, 19 TDs. Here’s the quick hit:
| Year | Team | Games | Passing Yards | Passing TDs | Passing INTs | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | DET | 1 | 380 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2014 | DET | 1 | 323 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 0 |
| 2016 | DET | 1 | 205 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| 2021 | LAR | 4 | 1,188 | 9 | 3 | 42 | 2 |
| 2023 | LAR | 1 | 367 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | LAR | 2 | 533 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Totals | 10 | 2,996 | 19 | 6 | 71 | 3 |
These numbers scream consistency. Stafford’s career passer rating sits at 88.2, but bump it to 97.4 in the playoffs – where the lights shine brightest.
Breaking Down the Stats: What They Really Mean
Let’s keep it real – stats are cool, but context is king. Stafford’s 61,675 passing yards rank him ninth all-time, ahead of Hall of Famers like Dan Fales and Warren Moon. His 394 TDs? Top 10 too, just behind Eli Manning. But dig deeper: He’s sixth in yards per game (269.3), the fastest to 40,000 yards ever. That means efficiency, not just volume.
Interceptions? 202 isn’t pretty, but remember: Early Lions O-lines were turnstile city. He led the league in attempts multiple times, inflating picks. Adjusted for era, his ball security’s solid – especially lately, with just 10 INTs in 2024-25 combined.
Rushing? Not his game, but those 27 scores show he’s no statue. And comebacks? 38 fourth-quarter heroes, tying legends like Ben Roethlisberger. For younger readers: Imagine being down 20 with minutes left, and your QB just shrugs and wins. That’s Stafford.
Injuries? He’s missed just 20 starts in 17 years – iron man status.
Awards, Records, and Legacy: Why Stafford’s a Future Hall of Famer
Trophies don’t lie. Stafford’s haul: 2 Pro Bowls (2014, 2023), Super Bowl champ and MVP (2021), Comeback Player of the Year (2011, runner-up multiple times). Records? NFL’s most attempts in a season (727, 2012), fastest to 30k/40k/50k yards. He’s got the Lions’ all-time marks and ranks top-10 in completions, attempts, yards, TDs.
Legacy? For Lions fans, he’s the loyal warrior who carried a franchise through darkness. For Rams faithful, the trade savior who delivered a ring. At 37, with 2025 humming, he’s eyeing 65,000 yards and another deep run. Hall of Fame? Locks – his stats scream elite, and that ring seals it. As he told reporters post-London win: “Just having fun out there.” That’s the vibe.
Wrapping It Up: Stafford’s Story Isn’t Over Yet
From a raw rookie in Motown to a grizzled vet hoisting the Lombardi in LA, Matthew Stafford Career Stats is a testament to what happens when talent meets tenacity. Those stats – over 61k yards, 394 TDs, a Super Bowl – aren’t just numbers; they’re proof of a guy who never quits. Whether he’s threading needles to Nacua or engineering another miracle drive, Stafford reminds us football’s about heart as much as highlights.
