Matthew Stafford shares candid reaction as Bill Belichick praises Rams QB but ‘won’t put him in the same class as’ Tom Brady

Bill Belichick welcomed the development of Matthew Stafford on Wednesday, while specifying that he separates the LA Rams quarterback from Tom Brady.

The former Patriots coach sees similarities in their late-career progress, but avoided putting the two veterans on the same pedestal.

Belichick teamed up with Brady for six Super Bowl titles over two decades in New England. Stafford spent 17 seasons in the NFL, including his last five in Los Angeles after 12 with Detroit.

“I wouldn’t put him in a class like Tom, but I mean, it’s reminiscent of Brady where he just keeps getting better and better,” Belichick said, via the “Let’s Go!” podcast.

“I remember when we trained against him and played him several years ago, we got smarter. He understands better. He knows how to use weapons, maybe just a split second faster. He’s a little harder to fool and something you could have done to him a few years ago, you’re not going to get them now.”

Stafford joined the episode and responded to Belichick’s remarks.

“I appreciate those words from coach,” Stafford said. “Obviously, I have a lot of respect for what he was able to accomplish throughout his career and he fought some great battles against him.

“As my body changes, as the league changes, you have to keep up with all of that. I’ve spent a lot of time and energy trying to do that. I play this game for the respect of the guys I play with and the respect of the people I compete against.”

Matthew Stafford’s 2025 form puts him among the league’s elite

Matthew Stafford delivered production reminiscent of his best seasons through eight games this campaign. He leads the NFL with 21 touchdown passes and has thrown just two interceptions in 274 attempts.

The Rams (6-2) enter Week 10 tied for the best record in the NFC, and Stafford’s 268.4 passing yards per game rank among the league leaders.

His former teammate, ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky, credited Stafford’s obsessive work on mechanics.

“When I was with Matthew 10 or 12 years ago, he was still a very talented football thrower, but mechanically a little inconsistent,” Orlovsky said Monday via “The Pat McAfee Show.” “He worked so hard to become repetitive, repetitive and repetitive.”

Brady’s production beyond age 37 remains the benchmark. From 2014 until his retirement in 2022, he posted a 103-39 record and won three more Super Bowls while throwing for over 40,000 yards.

Matthew Stafford’s story played out differently, but his resurgence with Los Angeles after a winless playoff run in Detroit redefined his career arc.