The Athletic’s Mike Sando released his 2026 QB Tiers, and Matthew Stafford tied Josh Allen for second overall, trailing only Patrick Mahomes.
Of the 50 coaches and executives who cast votes, which included a panel of 21 execs and 29 coaches, Stafford earned 48 votes as a Tier 1 quarterback. Only two held him back in Tier 2. His average vote of 1.04 marked a jump of nearly half a point from a 1.50 average in 2024, one of the sharpest swings on the entire ballot.
It’s not hard to see why. Stafford authored the best season of his 17-year career in 2025, throwing for 4,707 yards and a career-high 46 touchdowns against just eight interceptions. He won his first NFL MVP, earned his first All-Pro nod, and did it all at 37.
The panel’s praise leaned heavily on his processing and command at the line of scrimmage.
“His arm talent is special, for sure, but he’s a very intelligent quarterback in terms of picking up things and understanding how to attack what you do on defense,” one former head coach said.
A general manager pointed to how well he executes what’s schemed for him: “Everything they put on him at the line of scrimmage, he makes it come to life. Best in the league at that.” Another defensive coach marveled at his arm angles and ability to look off defenders before delivering.
Still, the two dissenting Tier 2 votes are a reminder that even an MVP season and a near-unanimous ballot doesn’t erase every skeptic. Age, durability and the sample size of a career renaissance at 37 remain quiet question marks for a small slice of the panel — even as the rest of the league has stopped arguing.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: NFL coaches, execs vote Matthew Stafford a Tier 1 QB, but not unanimously
Reporting by Oliver G., Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Oliver G., Rams Wire | USA TODAY Network
