Matthew Stafford put together an outstanding 2025 campaign, and there’s little reason to believe he will slow down in 2026.
With the Los Angeles Rams boosting their roster by acquiring Myles Garrett in a blockbuster trade, Super Bowl champion Drew Brees shared his expectations for the team’s outlook heading into the new season.
Drew Brees Sees Super Bowl Potential in Matthew Stafford-Led Rams After Myles Garrett Trade
Stafford won the MVP award last season after recording 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdown passes for just 8 interceptions, but his magnificent season came after uncertainty surrounded his availability entering the year.
A back injury forced Stafford to miss most of training camp and raised concerns about his readiness, but he returned and ultimately became the third-oldest player to win NFL MVP. He delivered when Los Angeles needed him most, leading the Rams to a 12-5 regular-season record.
The Rams’ season ended with a loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game, but Brees believes the team is well-positioned to compete for the Super Bowl this season.
“Matthew Stafford is playing at such a high level, reigning MVP,” Brees said in a one-on-one interview with USA TODAY Sports this week. “ I think the next three years could be the best years of his career. It’s just a matter of how long he wants to play.
“But you got these weapons around him, Davante Adams and Puka Nacua. And, you know, they got three or four really good tight ends. The offensive line is as good as it’s been in a long time.”
The Rams’ acquisition of Garrett from the Cleveland Browns has only strengthened expectations for a championship run in 2026. Garrett set the NFL single-season sack record with 23 sacks in 2025 and finished first in PFN’s EDGE Impact.
Garrett is seen as the missing piece for Los Angeles’ title aspirations, and his arrival has also fueled speculation that retired defensive tackle Aaron Donald could return to the NFL. Brees believes the possibility shouldn’t be dismissed.
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“Because first off, I watched the guy on Instagram and it looks like he’s staying in pretty good shape,” Brees said. “I mean, I’m still pretty scared of him.
“For him to sit there and go, ‘Wait a minute, you mean I can come back, I … can play 20-25 snaps a game, it’s always going to be a pass rush, I’m always going to be matched up against the worst offensive linemen, and all the attention is going to Myles Garrett? Like, yeah, why not?'”
Donald retired following the 2023 season, but NFL insider Ian Rapoport recently reported there is a “real possibility” he returns.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter also reported that Donald informed the Rams he wanted to return to the team’s facility to work out and see how his body responds before deciding to resume his career.
If Donald does return, pairing his interior pass-rushing presence with Garrett’s dominance off the edge would give Los Angeles one of the NFL’s most feared defensive fronts. Combined with Stafford leading the offense, the Rams would have an even stronger foundation for a Super Bowl push in 2026.
