Coming off MVP season, Rams QB Matthew Stafford considered retirement because of family

SAN FRANCISCO — As the Bears look to take the next step toward title contention, the man who knocked them out of the playoffs isn’t going anywhere. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, a longtime thorn for the Bears dating back to his time with the Lions, said this week he will return for his 18th season.

Stafford made the announcement at the NFL Honors when he was on stage with his four daughters to receive the MVP award. He played the best season of his career with 46 touchdown passes and a 109.2 passer rating, and the Rams made it to the NFC Championship Game after beating the Bears in the divisional round.

Stafford told his kids he was eager for them to cheer him on “next year when we’re out there kicking ass,” and said afterward he legitimately weighed retirement because of how much family time he has sacrificed.

“This game takes a lot out of you,” he said. “You saw the people, the four little girls that are standing on stage with me, and I want to be as big a part of their life as I possibly can be. That's really important to me, and if they weren't supportive of me playing, I wouldn't do it.

“I'm lucky to have little girls that want their dad to do what he loves to do... but [my family] is not something I'm willing to lose over a game that I love to play. If they weren't behind me in that decision, I don't care how good I played that year or the year before. We'd have some real talks."

Stafford, 38, goes into next season sixth all-time in passing yards (64,516) and could pass Aaron Rodgers if Rodgers retires. He also is seventh in touchdown passes (423) and could pass Philip Rivers if he retires.

He is 13-10 all-time against the Bears, including the playoffs, with 35 touchdown passes and 24 interceptions.