Matthew Stafford’s wife Kelly has hinted that he could soon retire from the NFL after growing tired of being away from his daughters and the physical demand on his body.
The three-time Pro Bowl quarterback enjoyed a terrific 2025 season with the Los Angeles Rams, leading the league with 4,707 passing yards, 276.9 yards per game, and 46 passing touchdowns and claiming his first MVP award as a result.
Despite being at the top of his game, Kelly – Stafford’s wife of over a decade – has revealed two reasons why the father of her four daughters could walk away from the sport sooner rather than later.
‘One of the biggest things Matthew can’t stand is that he can’t come to [his kids’] weekend games,’ she said on a recent appearance on ‘The Cutting Edge’ podcast.
‘That’s starting to wear and tear on him, that he’s not around for those. And they’re getting to the age… And they’re asking, “Well, when is dad gonna come to our games?”‘
Matthew and Kelly’s four daughters – Hunter, Tyler and twins Sawyer and Chandler – are all aged between six and nine.
Matthew Stafford’s wife Kelly has hinted that he could retire from the NFL for two reasons
Stafford was named MVP for the first time after enjoying a terrific 2025 season with the Rams
Kelly says her husband is growing tired of missing his four daughters’ sports games
The couple met back in their college days while attending the University of Georgia, before tying the knot in April 2015.
However, family commitments are not the only reason Stafford might bow out from the NFL in the near future, according to Kelly.
The 38-year-old has also struggled with injuries in recent years, having to play through the pain barrier while managing an aggravated disc in his back last year.
‘With the injury stuff, too, Matthew has had his fair share. And now the lingering ones, as he gets older in this league,’ Kelly continued.
‘Every year, I always worry about his head. That’s the one injury that diagnosing it is tough; knowing the repercussions of it is tough.’
She then added: ‘For [players] emotionally, it’s tough, because their identity right now is in what they do. And it’s true. So if you take that away from them, even for a small time because of injuries, it’s tough on them.
‘Matthew’s back last year was the worst I’d ever seen him, mentally and emotionally, when it comes to an injury.’
Matthew and Kelly were among several high-profile names at Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s wedding in New York City earlier this month.
The pair were captured looking glamorous on their way into Madison Square Garden, where an estimated 1,000 guests watched Kelce and Swift tie the knot.
