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Matthew Stafford Names His Four Most Feared NFL Players

Aaron Donald, Julius Peppers, Calvin Johnson and Ray Lewis make Matthew Stafford’s list on Rushmore Podcast, with his explanations beside each selection.

By The Sporting Page Editorial StaffTSP Original
Matthew Stafford wearing a black cap during his Rushmore Podcast appearance.
Matthew Stafford during the Rushmore Podcast interview first published April 3, 2026. Screenshot from the program’s September 30 compilation. · Credit: Rushmore Podcast / YouTube screenshot

“How do we contain him? How do we run away from him? All the things.” Matthew Stafford said of Aaron Donald as he described the Rams defender’s effect on an offensive game plan.

Stafford named his four most feared NFL players on Rushmore Podcast with hosts Ari Emanuel and Ben Persky and fellow quarterback Troy Aikman. The original episode was published April 3, 2026; a September 30 compilation revisited parts of the discussion.

The hosts allowed “feared” to describe a player’s effect on either side of the ball. Stafford included his former Detroit receiver Calvin Johnson alongside three defenders. The numbers follow his selection order.

Stafford’s four selections

01

Aaron Donald

Matthew Stafford’s selection

Aaron Donald in a blue and yellow Los Angeles Rams number 99 uniform.
Aaron Donald with the Rams. Archival image shown by Rushmore Podcast.

Stafford had faced Donald as an opponent and later shared a practice field with him. He introduced his first choice as:

“a guy that I practiced against, played against, but then also practiced with.”

Matthew Stafford · 15:17–15:40
02

Julius Peppers

Matthew Stafford’s selection

Julius Peppers in a white Chicago Bears number 90 uniform.
Julius Peppers with the Bears. Archival image shown by Rushmore Podcast.

Asked whether Peppers had ever hurt him, Stafford recalled a shoulder injury in 2010. He described a defender who could affect a passing play in more than one way.

“He separated my shoulder in 2010.”

“he was the scary guy on the D-line that could like sack you, but also turn around and pick it off.”

Matthew Stafford · 15:43–16:35
03

Calvin Johnson

Matthew Stafford’s selection

Calvin Johnson in a white Detroit Lions number 81 uniform looking toward a football.
Calvin Johnson with Detroit. Archival image shown by Rushmore Podcast. Source frame cropped.

Stafford chose the receiver he played with in Detroit for the attention he drew from opposing defenses. Recalling defenders bracketing Johnson near the goal line, Stafford said:

“He was the first guy I ever saw get viced down in the goal line. I mean, it was incredible.”

Matthew Stafford · 16:37–17:20
04

Ray Lewis

Matthew Stafford’s selection

Ray Lewis in a purple Baltimore Ravens number 52 jersey beside stadium flames.
Ray Lewis with Baltimore. Archival image shown by Rushmore Podcast. Source frame cropped.

Stafford specified that he faced Lewis in a preseason game. He recalled Baltimore’s defensive huddle before the first series:

“I remember we’re in this preseason game and he’s breaking down their defensive huddle before our first series and I’m going this guy is playing this thing like it’s the Super Bowl.”

Matthew Stafford · 17:22–17:47

Read Troy Aikman’s four most feared NFL players from the same Rushmore Podcast episode.

Watch the original Rushmore Podcast episode.

Sources and notes

  1. Rushmore Podcast original episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oktq2mD9No
  2. September 30 compilation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oO7AWXif_yQ