Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Matthew Stafford

Discover the career path of Matthew Stafford, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

John Matthew Stafford is a professional football quarterback currently playing for the Los Angeles Rams. Drafted first overall by the Detroit Lions in 2009 after a college career with the Georgia Bulldogs, Stafford has achieved significant milestones in the NFL. He ranks among the top ten in pass attempts, completions, yards, and touchdowns. Notably, he holds the record for being the fastest player to reach 40,000 career passing yards and ranks highly in passing yards per game.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1950: Comeback Wins

On November 20, Matthew Stafford became the first quarterback since at least 1950 to win back to back games after trailing by at least 20 points, the first to win three games in a season after trailing by at least 17 points, and the first to win four games in a season after trailing by at least 13 points according to STATS, LLC.

1999: Playoff Appearance

In 1999, The Detroit Lions had a playoff appearance.

2002: Best Mark Since 2002

In 2002, Georgia had their best mark since the 2002 season.

2006: Collegiate Debut

In 2006, Matthew Stafford debuted late in the season opener against Western Kentucky, going 3 of 5 passing for 40 yards and a touchdown pass. He made his first collegiate start against University of Alabama Birmingham.

2007: Season Opener Win

In 2007, the Lions had their first season opener win since 2007.

2008: Sugar Bowl victory

In 2008, Matthew Stafford had 175 yards passing and a touchdown pass during Georgia's 41–10 rout of the No. 10 Hawaii Warriors in the 2008 Sugar Bowl. He helped lead Georgia to an 11-2 record, their best mark since the 2002 season.

April 24, 2009: Contract Agreement with Lions

On April 24, 2009, Matthew Stafford agreed to record contract terms with the Detroit Lions to become the first overall pick of the 2009 NFL draft, one day before the draft was held. The six-year contract reportedly contained $41.7 million in guaranteed money and carried a total value of up to $78 million.

September 6, 2009: Starting Quarterback Announcement

On September 6, 2009, Lions head coach Jim Schwartz announced that Matthew Stafford would be the Lions' starting quarterback heading into the season.

November 22, 2009: Five Touchdowns

On November 22, 2009, Matthew Stafford threw five touchdowns in a narrow victory over the Cleveland Browns, becoming the youngest quarterback ever to do so. He also accumulated 422 yards passing and won NFC Offensive Player of the Week and Pepsi Rookie of the Week.

2009: Teammates with Dominic Raiola

From 2009, Matthew Stafford was teammates with Dominic Raiola, the father of Dylan Raiola, on the Lions.

2009: Drafted into NFL

In 2009, Matthew Stafford was drafted first overall by the Detroit Lions in the NFL draft after playing college football for the Georgia Bulldogs.

2009: Capital One Bowl MVP

In 2009, after defeating Michigan State 24-12 and winning the MVP of the 2009 Capital One Bowl, Matthew Stafford finished his three years at Georgia with a 3-0 record in bowl games. Stafford chose to forgo his senior season and entered the 2009 NFL Draft.

2009: NFC Offensive Player of the Week

Matthew Stafford won NFC Offensive Player of the Week for the first time since the 2009 season after his Rams debut against the Chicago Bears.

2009: Lions' Primary Starter

Starting in 2009, Matthew Stafford became the primary starter for the Detroit Lions.

2011: Breakout Year

In 2011, Matthew Stafford had a breakout year, becoming the fourth quarterback in NFL history to throw for over 5,000 yards in a single season and leading the Detroit Lions to their first playoff appearance since 1999.

January 1, 2012: Stafford throws for 5,000 yards

On January 1, 2012, Matthew Stafford became the fourth quarterback in NFL history to throw for 5,000 passing yards in a season, and the second-youngest to reach that milestone at 23 years old. This occurred after recording a career-high 520 passing yards against the Green Bay Packers. Stafford also had an interception on an attempted 37-yard touchdown pass, and became the first player in Lions' franchise history to have two games in a single season with at least five passing touchdowns.

July 7, 2013: Stafford agrees to a three-year extension with the Lions

On July 7, 2013, Matthew Stafford agreed to a three-year, $53 million contract extension with the Lions, including $41.5 million guaranteed through 2017.

January 14, 2014: Lions announce Jim Caldwell as their new head coach

On January 14, 2014, the Lions announced Jim Caldwell as their new head coach.

2014: Pro Bowl Honors

In 2014, Matthew Stafford led the Lions to another playoff run and earned Pro Bowl honors.

2014: Teammates with Dominic Raiola

Until 2014, Matthew Stafford was teammates with Dominic Raiola, the father of Dylan Raiola, on the Lions.

January 4, 2015: Stafford and the Lions face the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card Round

On January 4, 2015, Matthew Stafford and the Lions played against the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs. After leading 20-7 in the third quarter, the Cowboys scored 17 unanswered points to win 24-20. Stafford threw for 323 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the loss. A controversial pass interference call reversal in the fourth quarter proved crucial.

January 19, 2015: Stafford selected to the 2015 Pro Bowl

On January 19, 2015, Matthew Stafford was selected to the 2015 Pro Bowl as a replacement for Peyton Manning. He was named Pro Bowl Offensive MVP, with 316 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.

December 13, 2015: Stafford reaches 25,000 passing yards in his 90th career game

On December 13, 2015, in Week 14 against the St. Louis Rams, Matthew Stafford reached 25,000 passing yards in his 90th career game, becoming the fastest quarterback to reach this milestone.

2015: Donation to S.A.Y. Detroit Play Center

In 2015, Matthew Stafford donated $1 million to the S.A.Y. Detroit Play Center.

December 11, 2016: Stafford breaks NFL record of most fourth quarter comebacks

On December 11, 2016, Matthew Stafford broke Peyton Manning's NFL record of most fourth quarter comebacks in a season with eight. Since his debut in 2009, he has 25 such victories, the most in the NFL.

2016: NFL Season Record

In 2016, Matthew Stafford led the Lions to another playoff run and set the NFL season record for comeback wins.

2016: Rushing Touchdown

In 2016, Matthew Stafford scored a rushing touchdown for the first time since 2016 during the Wild Card Round of the playoffs against the Arizona Cardinals.

August 28, 2017: Stafford signs a five-year extension with the Lions

On August 28, 2017, Matthew Stafford signed a five-year, $135 million extension with $92 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid player in NFL history at the time.

2018: Lions' Walter Payton Man of the Year Nominee

In 2018, Matthew Stafford was nominated as the Detroit Lions' Walter Payton Man of the Year.

November 10, 2019: Stafford misses first game since 2010

On November 10, 2019, Matthew Stafford missed his first game since 2010 against the Chicago Bears, ending his streak of 136 consecutive regular-season starts. He was diagnosed with non-displaced fractures in his upper thoracic spine.

December 18, 2019: Stafford placed on injured reserve

On December 18, 2019, Matthew Stafford was placed on injured reserve after missing the previous six games. The Lions missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season. Stafford passed for 2,499 yards, 19 touchdowns, and five interceptions in eight games before his shutdown.

2020: End of Lions Career

In 2020, Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions mutually agreed to part ways.

2020: Stafford's 2020 Season

In the 2020 season, Matthew Stafford started all 16 games, finishing with 4,084 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He also had to leave a game due to an ankle injury.

2020: Donation to University of Georgia

Prior to the 2020 NFL season, the Stafford family donated $1.5 million to the University of Georgia to fund social justice initiatives and scholarships.

March 18, 2021: Stafford Traded to the Rams

On March 18, 2021, Matthew Stafford was traded to the Los Angeles Rams. The trade involved Jared Goff, a 2021 third-round pick, and two first-round picks in 2022 and 2023.