The Detroit Lions and quarterback Matthew Stafford have reportedly mutually agreed to part ways during the 2021 offseason. Stafford was drafted by Detroit first overall in 2009, a draft pick they acquired after being the first team in NFL history to go 0-16 in 2008. Stafford has remained with the Lions since then, giving not only the organization his all, but the city of Detroit as well.
It’s not a move that surprised anyone following reports of a tumultuous locker room atmosphere under the former regime of head coach Matt Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn. Both were relieved of their duties following a loss to the Houston Texans on Thanksgiving, and the Lions finished out the season under interim head coach Darrell Bevell.
When the news first broke on twitter, a majority of Lions fans were disappointed, but were supportive of Stafford and understand his contract situation. After all, they watched two of the greatest to ever play football be worn down by the dysfunction and lack of success in the Motor City. This lead to the retirement of Hall-of-Fame running back Barry Sanders and future Hall-of-Famer, wide receiver Calvin Johnson in their prime.
Matthew Stafford’s current contract status
Matthew Stafford has two years left on his current contract and has $43 million due over that two-year stretch. In a vacuum, it’s a big number. However, Stafford is fairly affordable in comparison with other NFL quarterbacks. Stafford’s average annual value comes in at just 14th in the NFL. He will need an extension soon, but for a player who still has the ability to elevate his team when healthy, that’s an affordable price.
Stafford, who turns 33 when the next season starts, is coming off a year that saw him complete 339 of 528 pass attempts for 4,084 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. All amidst a coaching change and inconsistency on defense, Stafford helped the Lions to five wins and managed to start every game while battling through mild injuries.
In 2019, Stafford was on pace to have a career year. However, an upper spinal injury forced him to miss the second half of the season. Nevertheless, a more stable situation might help Stafford extend his prime, and there are a few teams that could be good trade partners for the productive passer.
Potential trade suiters
Below, we will break down the three teams that should at least pick up the phone and call the Lions about their quarterback. Stafford has plenty of connections around the league so he could be playing under a head coach or general manager that he’s familiar with in 2021.
Indianapolis Colts
The Matthew Stafford to the Indianapolis Colts rumor has been making it rounds online for several months. The Colts starter from a season ago, Phillip Rivers, announced his retirement from the NFL just a week ago. Rivers led the Colts to an 11-5 record this past season — which was their best campaign since 2014. This is a franchise that has had bad luck with the quarterback position since they parted ways with Andrew Luck and Peyton Manning, who both decided to hang up the cleats early.
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They are certainly in a better position to “win now” than the Lions and could be just a quarterback away from becoming legitimate title contenders. Stafford would be an excellent fit in Frank Reich’s offense, and the Colts’ offensive line would also be a welcome change for a quarterback who’s been pressured regularly in his career thus far. The Colts have the third-most cap space in the league, which gives them more than enough room to take on Stafford’s contract.
The real issue for them is draft capital. With the 21st pick and short-term playoff aspirations, the Colts’ first-rounders might not be as attractive as their competitors’ offers.
The selfish fan in me would like to see Stafford in Indy due to location. It would be a short drive for me to make to Indianapolis to watch Stafford succeed as a Lions fan. I’m just not sure of the level of upgrade compared to the following teams.
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are the top team most likely to make a Super Bowl run with Stafford were added to the mix. Currently, they have Jimmy Garoppolo under contract for two more seasons. That does not mean however, that they wouldn’t move from the young signal caller who has had mediocre success thus far.
When current 49ers’ head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about Jimmy G, he had this to say:
“You can’t say anything with certainty,” the coach told reporters, per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. “You don’t sit here and make promises on anything. When you build a football team, it’s your job to put the best team together year in and year out.”
Shanahan desires a quarterback who can add a greater element of deep passing to the 49ers’ offense. Stafford is a player who can do that. With wide receivers like Brandon Aiyuk and tight end George Kittle on the roster, it would make for a potent offensive attack.
San Fran is Stafford’s best chance to hit the ground running, with himself only getting older. Stafford allows the 49ers to get right back to playoff contention after a down year in 2020, and he helps them maximize their time efficiency, at a cost that likely resembles a trade up, more or less.
When it comes to money available for the 49ers, they have roughly $12.8 million available. That figure is always adjustable through different means though. I’ve yet to dive into the numbers and likelihood of Garoppolo being involved in a Stafford trade, but anything is possible.
Washington Football Team
There is one key piece that leads me to believe the Washington Football team will be making a call to Lions general manager Brad Holmes. That piece is Martin Mayhew.
Mayhew is the former general manager of the Detroit Lions prior to Quinn taking over. This means he was in the front office when Stafford was taken first overall out of the University of Georgia. Stafford would go on to lead Detroit to a playoff appearance and set several NFL records along side Calvin Johnson.
The Washington Football team has also had struggles finding anything resembling a leader at quarterback. NFL veteran Alex Smith is of course on the roster. He has made a remarkable recovery from the leg injury he suffered, but is still battling other injuries after years in the league. Washington made the post-season in 2020 but were forced to start Taylor Heinicke. The results were a loss to the Tampa bay Buccaneers.
With a strong front seven, stars like Terry McLaurin at wider receiver and the young and upcoming Antonio Gibson at running back, this is another team that appears a quarterback away from a deeper playoff push.
Washington has enough cap space to take Stafford on, and they also have four picks on the first two days in the 2021 NFL Draft. Picking at 19, Washington is out of range for a rookie quarterback, so bringing in Stafford has a lot of merit.
With the Mayhew connection, it seems the most logical fit.
Thank you, Matthew!
As someone who watched Stafford in college, and then enter the NFL with the Detroit Lions I just wanted to say thank you. Stafford gave it 110 percent in the Motor City and I believe I speak for a majority of fans when I say we appreciate everything you’ve given for this team!
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