While Joe Burrow ranks second among current NFL quarterbacks, his good form isn’t leading to success for the Cincinnati Bengals. With a 4-7 record, their playoff hopes are hanging by a thread at the moment. Matthew Stafford’s wife, Kelly Stafford, is all too familiar with the situation, having seen her husband endure a similar predicament during his time with the Detroit Lions.
Advertisement
On the latest episode of her podcast, Morning After, Kelly spoke about how the Bengals’ 34-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Week 11 made her feel bad for Burrow.
“I am a little heartbroken for Joe Burrow,” said Kelly. “To be honest, it is reminding me of when Matthew played on the Lions for a bit.”
Kelly felt Burrow has the skillset of an elite quarterback but will likely face backlash.
“Like you can tell how good and talented he is, it’s just the team is not winning, and that is frustrating.”
She shared that she had even texted her husband about it. “So I texted Matthew and I was ‘I kind of feel like I feel for him. Because I felt for you in those times’.”
Kelly’s words resonated with many fans, who joined to empathize with the quarterback.
Sad to see talent be wasted
— Josh (@JoshiedNFT) November 24, 2024
An X user compared Burrow’s situation with that of Justin Herbert of the Chargers.
Literally what Herbert went through his first 4 years and everybody called him soft and not an elite QB because of his defense.
— Matthew (@mcharney1) November 24, 2024
However, some NFL fans weren’t convinced by Kelly’s comparison. They believe that Burrow is in a different league altogether.
Burrow went through a dynasty chiefs team on his way to a Super Bowl. Stafford never sniffed a playoff win.
— it’s Jasmin (@itsJasmin49) November 24, 2024
I don’t recall any Stafford led Lions team winning any conference championships & making a Super Bowl? I swear people just be talking to talk
— Misfit80894 (@misfit8089421) November 24, 2024
Kelly has been open about Stafford’s time with the Lions and how the negativity surrounding his move to the Los Angeles Rams affected the family.
The quarterback played 12 seasons in Detroit, and had managed to lead the team to the playoffs thrice with no postseason wins. However, after being traded to the Rams in 2021, he went on to lift the Lombardi Trophy in his debut season.
Kelly recounted how, during the Rams’ first matchup against Detroit on the road, the home fans booed not only Stafford but also Kelly and their daughters. While she wasn’t that surprised at her husband getting the fans’ wrath, it was certainly shocking when she and the kids became the target.
“My girls and I are not playing the game,” said Kelly on her podcast. “I know that my girls are not getting booed. I am, and I can handle it. But when I have my girls next to me, there’s something to be said of like, maybe not?”
Matthew Stafford has proved his mettle ever since his switch to Los Angeles, even earning “the throw of the year” tag in this season’s game against, of all teams, Detroit.
Burrow, meanwhile, has become a legitimate contender for the MVP race this year. But he needs to convert his QB performance into wins and secure a playoff berth to silence the critics.
