LOS ANGELES -- As the Rams and Matthew Stafford prepared for the quarterback's 17th season in the spring of 2025, they wanted to take away some of his mental load during the offseason program.
For Stafford, that meant doing some of the Rams' organized team activities from home, where he has a gym and access to the entire Rams film system.
That approach -- which allowed him to spend more time with his family instead of being at the facility for what head coach Sean McVay called the "monotonous parts of the offseason program" -- helped Stafford go into the season fresher than he has in years past.
And while not the intention heading into the offseason, Stafford had a lighter physical load during training camp too. After injuring his back between the offseason program and the start of training camp, Stafford did not throw for a significant portion of the summer. He returned to practice on Aug. 18.
Stafford did not miss a practice all season and played some of the best football of his career. His 4,707 passing yards and 46 passing touchdowns led the league. He was named the NFL MVP for the 2025 season.
As the Rams begin their 2026 offseason program -- heading into the 38-year-old's 18th NFL season -- McVay said the team wants to "keep a very similar approach."
The key, McVay said, is "the autonomy that [Stafford has] earned where he and I really collaborate" with the team's medical and strength staff.