Matthew Stafford‘s Hall of Fame candidacy has become a renewed topic of debate as the Los Angeles Rams failed to reach another Super Bowl appearance under head coach Sean McVay, after falling to the Seattle Seahawks 31-27.

While some analysts argue that Stafford lacks the traditional statistical résumé required for Canton, others believe his career accomplishments already place him firmly on a Hall of Fame trajectory, regardless of what happens next. The conversation intensified following comments made by Bomani Jones on The Right Time W/ Bomani Jones.

The analyst argued that because Los Angeles didn’t get to the Super Bowl this year, Stafford should not be considered a Hall of Fame quarterback. He compared Stafford to Josh Allen, suggesting that both quarterbacks have benefited from strong supporting casts and that postseason success should ultimately define their legacies.

An argument that lacks context

That stance, however, overlooks key context in Stafford‘s career. Unlike Allen, Stafford has already reached the sport’s highest stage and won it. He led the Rams to a Super Bowl championship during the 2021 season, delivering the franchise its second title and accomplishing what the team had not achieved with Jared Goff, another former No. 1 overall pick.

That Super Bowl victory alone fills the most glaring gap that critics often cite when discussing elite quarterbacks. Jones also pointed to the perception that Stafford has benefitted from having the league’s top two wide receivers. While Puka Nacua has undeniably established himself among the NFL’s elite, the claim that Stafford is throwing to the two best receivers in football is widely disputed.

Many observers point to Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba as one of the league’s top pass catchers, underscoring that this argument relies more on surface-level statistics than on consistent on-field evaluation.The scrutiny surrounding Stafford‘s status as a former No. 1 overall pick is another area where Jones’ argument falls short.

Stafford elevated a loaded roster

Stafford entered a challenging situation in Detroit and spent over a decade as the face of a rebuilding franchise before being traded to Los Angeles. With the Rams, he immediately elevated a roster that had stalled short of a championship, guiding it to a Super Bowl win in his first season with the team.

That achievement remains a defining moment of his career and a strong data point in any Hall of Fame discussion. Even though the Rams failed to reach their third Super Bowl under McVay, Stafford‘s legacy continues to evolve.

While MVP debates and statistical comparisons will persist, his body of work includes longevity, high-level quarterback play, and the ultimate team success. For many evaluators, that combination already meets the standard for Canton, regardless of whether another Lombardi Trophy is added to his résumé.