Matthew Stafford is in his 18th NFL season, so he’s come across some outstanding defensive lines for the better part of two decades. Playing in both the NFC North and NFC West has made life even harder on him, given the dominant D-lines that have littered those two divisions since Stafford was drafted by the Lions in 2009.
During a recent interview with Chris Long on the “Green Light” podcast, Long asked Stafford to name some of the best defensive lines he’s ever faced in the NFL. Stafford agreed that the 2023 Eagles defensive front was one of the toughest to go against, while also mentioning the Vikings, Packers and 49ers.
“They obviously come to mind. Big and physical and talented in a lot of areas,” Stafford said of the Eagles. “Early in my career, Minnesota with Pat Williams. Then you had Jared Allen on one (side). Everson Griffin and Brian Robison. And then there was another guy, Ray Edwards. Monsters. And then they just kind of regrouped every couple years and I’d be like, ‘Oh, some new high-name, high-paid guys there.’ They were tough.
“Green Bay, when I was in Detroit, their couple of years, they had Clay and B.J. Raji, Kenny Clark, then they brought in freaking Julius Peppers. And I’m like, ‘What are we doing?’ So that’s a tough one. San Fran, when I first got here, that was a war. 2021, you go watch those games when we played San Francisco, the pocket, it was like an explosion. And everybody’s fighting their a– off. Offensive line, defensive line, just guys falling all over each other, warring it out. It was like three-and-a-half (seconds), a hitch, and get it out and hope somebody’s open. They were really, really talented, as well.”
Ironically, Stafford might have to face one of the NFL’s best defensive lines in practice every day this season after the Rams acquired Myles Garrett in a trade with the Browns. He’s paired with Byron Young on the edge, with Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske and Poona Ford on the interior.
It’ll be a case of iron sharpening iron in practice this season, though Garrett and the other defenders won’t be able to tough Stafford in practice the way other defenders can during the season.
The Rams’ offensive line barely allowed Stafford to get hit last season, allowing only 23 sacks all year, which was tied for the fewest of any team in the league. With the same starting five expected to be back, Stafford should enjoy top-level protection again in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Matthew Stafford names the toughest defensive lines he’s ever faced
Reporting by Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire | USA TODAY Network
