Veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford is among the favorites to win this season’s NFL MVP after clinching his maiden award in 2025. Stafford had the most productive season of his NFL career, and the return of future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald from retirement has made the Los Angeles Rams a Super Bowl favorite.
ESPN analyst and Stafford’s former teammate Dan Orlovsky suggested that Donald’s return could impact Stafford’s NFL legacy.
NFL Fans React to Dan Orlovsky’s Matthew Stafford Declaration
During Monday’s segment of the “Get Up” show, Orlovsky opined that another Super Bowl, given he has already won an MVP, would elevate him to a top-five or top-seven quarterback in the league’s history.
The NFL fans on X didn’t agree with Orlovsky, as they believe Stafford doesn’t belong in that category:
One fan was adamant that Stafford would never crack the top 10. “NOTHING MATT STAFFORD CAN DO PUTS HIM IN TOP 10,” the fan predicted.
NOTHING MATT STAFFORD CAN DO PUTS HIM IN TOP 10 https://t.co/rodltjn9DT
— Doom Coming (@Getthebagcoach) August 31, 2026
Analyst Marcus Mosher was critical of Orlovsky’s opinion about Stafford.
“This is just silly. Just a complete lack of understanding of NFL history,” Mosher scolded.
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Mosher further listed quarterbacks that Stafford would be unable to unseat. “Even with another Super Bowl win, Stafford wouldn’t be a top-4 QB from 2000 on. 1. Tom Brady 2. Peyton Manning 3. Aaron Rodgers 4. Patrick Mahomes,” he added.
Even with another Super Bowl win, Stafford wouldn’t be a top-4 QB from 2000 on.
1. Tom Brady
2. Peyton Manning
3. Aaron Rodgers
4. Patrick Mahomes https://t.co/tGYS4U7LOy— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) August 31, 2026
Another fan slammed Orlovsky’s declaration, claiming that Stafford had never been the NFL’s best QB in his career.
“Nonsense. Stafford has never even been the best active QB in a season (last year is as close as he’s gotten),” the fan pointed out.
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One fan went a step further and listed ten quarterbacks better than Stafford.
“Mahomes, Brady, Manning, Rodgers & Montana automatically block him from top 5 all-time lol. Then there are guys like Favre, Brees, Elway, Marino & Young who all have a strong argument over Stafford w/2 SBs. Just completely ignorant of NFL history, honestly,” the fan commented.
Mahomes, Brady, Manning, Rodgers & Montana automatically block him from top 5 all-time lol. Then there are guys like Favre, Brees, Elway, Marino & Young who all have a strong argument over Stafford w/2 SBs.
Just completely ignorant of NFL history honestly.
— The Terrible Accountant (@Murmaidman) August 31, 2026
Another fan blasted Orlovsky for his polarizing opinion about Stafford.
“This dude is a joke. Was Stafford’s backup and non-stop pushes the agenda of him being the “clear” MVP last season, which wasn’t true, and now this?” the fan mocked.
This dude is a joke. Was Staffords backup and non stop pushes the agenda of him being the “clear” MVP last season, which wasn’t true, and now this.
— Tmac (@Tmac0801) August 31, 2026
Stafford was selected No. 1 overall in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, where he spent most of his career before getting traded to the Rams in 2021. He led them to the Super Bowl in his first season in Los Angeles, cementing his legacy with the team.
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Last season, the veteran quarterback led the league in passing touchdowns, passing yards, and total first downs thrown. He tallied 4,707 passing yards on 65% completion, 46 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions during the regular season, earning a PFN QB Impact score of 87.0 (No. 2 in the NFL).
Stafford added 936 passing yards on 55.5% completion, 6 touchdowns, and 1 interception for the Rams in three games during the postseason.
The former Lions QB already has an ironclad NFL legacy and is No. 6 in all-time passing yards. He is also in the top-10 in pass completions, attempts, and passing touchdowns.
He was also the fastest player in league history to reach 40,000 and 50,000 passing yards, and set the fastest pace to 30,000 yards until Patrick Mahomes broke that mark in 2024.
