Matthew Stafford’s latest $84 million deal with the Los Angeles Rams solidifies his position among the NFL’s highest-earning quarterbacks. Now, his wife Kelly has chosen this moment to share unprecedented details about their prenuptial agreement in a candid podcast discussion.
The revelations come as the couple marks their tenth wedding anniversary, with Kelly’s insights providing a rare window into how one of the NFL’s most financially successful couples approached the delicate balance between love and substantial wealth from the outset of their marriage.
Prenup Details
The Staffords’ financial arrangement has taken on new significance following Matthew’s latest deal, which ensures he’ll earn $44 million for the upcoming season alone, according to Sports Illustrated.
With career earnings now exceeding $360 million across his 17-year NFL tenure, the quarterback ranks among the highest-paid players in league history.
Kelly’s candid discussion on her podcast “The Morning After” offers a rare glimpse into how high-profile couples navigate the intersection of love and substantial wealth.
Kelly’s initial reaction to the prenup conversation reflected the discomfort many couples feel when addressing such matters.
“I had been with my husband for a while, but I was still young and very naive [to] this whole situation,” she admitted during the podcast episode.
The timing of these discussions proved crucial, as they began exploring the topic even before their engagement became official.
Her early resistance stemmed from traditional romantic ideals about marriage.
“We had talked about prenups even before getting engaged. I was very naive and was like, ‘I feel like we’re planning our divorce before getting married. I don’t really love the idea,'” Kelly explained.
However, her perspective seemed to gradually shift as she considered the practical realities of their situation and the logical framework such agreements provide.
The turning point apparently came when Kelly reframed the prenup as a protective measure rather than a pessimistic prediction.
“But then again I had to look at the other direction and say, ‘Well, if we never get divorced, we’ll never need it anyway.’ So why wouldn’t I?” she reasoned.
This shift in thinking allowed her to approach the negotiations with a more open mindset, ultimately leading to terms that satisfied both parties.
Matthew’s approach to the prenuptial negotiations demonstrated the generosity and fairness that characterizes their relationship.
“It was very fair. He was obviously very generous in it all,” Kelly revealed, emphasizing that the quarterback ensured the agreement protected her interests alongside his own substantial assets.
The collaborative nature of their discussions helped transform what could have been a contentious process into a partnership-building exercise.
Kelly’s evolved understanding of prenups extends beyond personal protection to encompass broader legal autonomy.
“I don’t think anyone thinks about it, the state has control and they do. At the end of the day, the government controls that contract. So, to make your own seems way smarter,” she explained.
The couple’s journey from University of Georgia sweethearts to NFL power couple spans 16 years, beginning when they started dating in February 2009. Their April 2015 wedding in Atlanta came after Matthew had already established himself as the Detroit Lions’ franchise quarterback, having signed multiple lucrative contracts.
The two share four daughters: twins Chandler and Sawyer, both 8, along with Hunter, 6, and Tyler, 4, US Weekly reports.
Matthew’s recent contract restructuring with the Rams reflects both his continued value as a quarterback and the team’s commitment to building around his leadership.
The deal addressed concerns about guaranteed money in his previous contract while providing the Rams flexibility to maintain roster depth. For Kelly, watching her husband’s latest professional milestone unfold serves as validation of their early decision to establish clear financial boundaries that have allowed their marriage to flourish alongside his extraordinary career success.
