By Jyesha Nance
During Sunday Night Football, veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford reached a significant milestone in his decorated career.
Stafford joined an exclusive club of signal-callers by reaching the 65,000-yard passing threshold just three weeks into the 2026 NFL season. This achievement adds to a remarkable stretch for the reigning MVP, as he moves into sixth place on the NFL’s all-time career passing touchdowns list.
Stafford joins Tom Brady (89,214), Drew Brees (80,358), Peyton Manning (71,940), Brett Favre (71,838), and Aaron Rodgers (66,974) as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to reach 65,000 or more career passing yards.
Notably, while reaching the milestone, Stafford also became the first player in NFL history to record 20,000 passing yards with two different franchises. He surpassed 20,000 yards early in his time with the Detroit Lions, ultimately throwing for 41,025 yards over 12 seasons, and reached the 20,000-yard mark with the Rams during their Week 3 matchup against the Denver Broncos.
Stafford continues to create a lane of his own and build his chances of being named one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever grace the NFL. Stafford signed a one-year, $55 million contract extension with the Rams during the offseason, tying him to the franchise through the 2027 season.
Stafford was traded to the Rams in 2021 and won his first Super Bowl in his inaugural season with the team. He is widely considered the greatest quarterback to ever wear a Rams uniform, with the top spot often debated between Kurt Warner’s historic peak and his own.
With the 2026 season just getting started and plenty of football to be played, Stafford will likely continue to set records and build his resume as the Rams are viewed as Super Bowl contenders.