The NFL MVP race has come down to a two-man conversation: New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.
On Monday, ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky appeared on First Take and argued why Stafford deserves the award over Maye. Orlovsky didn’t stop there, however. He also made a hot take about Stafford that will have NFL fans debating for hours.
“There’s no quarterback who’s made (more) high leverage throws than Matthew Stafford (this season),” Orlovsky said.
“There’s no quarterback (who’s) been asked to make more tight window throws than Matthew Stafford, specifically down in the red zone. When you just watch the ball that is played, and the stuff that they ask Stafford to operate, it makes you drop your jaw.”
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That’s when Orlovsky came in with his big take.
“I would tell you this: if Stafford wins MVP and he wins the Super Bowl, I think it puts him in the conversation for one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time,” Orlovsky said.
“I think it puts him into that group of that top 10, top 15 quarterbacks of all time, ’cause he’s gonna have the hardware and the stats to go with it.”
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Entering the Rams’ Monday Night Football battle with the Atlanta Falcons, Stafford had amassed 4,179 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, and only five interceptions across 15 games this season, earning a 112.1 passer rating. His play has propelled the Rams to an 11-4 record.
Over his 17-year NFL career, Stafford has cemented his status as an elite quarterback. Selected first overall by the Detroit Lions in 2009, he endured 12 seasons there before a 2021 trade to the Rams, where he immediately guided them to a Super Bowl triumph. Surpassing 60,000 career passing yards early in 2025, he now ranks among the league’s all-time leaders in yards and touchdowns, showcasing enduring precision and leadership. At 37, Stafford continues to thrive.
Featured image via Kevin Ng/Imagn Images
