Matthew Stafford Wants Out Of Detroit: Assessing The Best Destinations For The Veteran QB
(Tim Fuller - USA TODAY Sports) via prideofdetroit.com
Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions have mutually agreed to part ways, and the Lions will begin listening to trade offers this week. Add the Lions to the never-ending list of teams in the market for a new quarterback this offseason.
My heart goes out to all the Detroit fans out there, this is a rough blow. Only three good things have ever happened to the Detroit Lions organization as a whole -- Matthew Stafford was one of them. Other than Stafford, the only people I would consider an all-time “great” Lion is Barry Sanders (duh) and Calvin “Megatron” Johnson.
Stafford, who is now 33, balled his heart out for 12 years with the Lions, though he never managed to notch a playoff win on his resume. Since being drafted #1 overall in 2009, Stafford has consistently been a top-tier quarterback, but playing for an organization like the Lions will only get you so far.
Maybe this move is in Stafford’s best interest after all.
It seems to me like the Lions are attempting a fresh start. A new head coach, new GM, new offensive coordinator, and now they are in the market for a new QB. Interestingly enough, both Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell were aware of the situation prior to taking the job, in fact they embraced it, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
This is going to create an absolute shit storm for general managers, and I love it. Even before Stafford was on the trade block, the list of free-agent quarterbacks is quite impressive. Dak Prescott, Andy Dalton, Cam Newton, Mitchell Trubisky, Jameis Winston, Tyrod Taylor, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jacoby Brissett, Colt McCoy, and Nate Sudfield are all free agents this offseason. On top of all these big names, the Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, and likely the New Orleans Saints are looking to replace their QB from the 2020 season.
We all know Deshaun Watson wants to get the hell out of Houston, and with good reason, but Stafford is likely the 2nd best option for teams to go after right now. Rumors around the league are saying Watson’s price tag is in the range of three 1st round draft picks. Absurd, but understandable. This makes me wonder where Stafford will be priced.
Watson is in his prime and could become a franchise player wherever he ends up, and on the other hand Stafford is nearing the final stretch of his career. How much will teams be willing to sacrifice for a 33 year old with 0 playoff wins?
I’ve done a bit of theorizing and put together what I believe to be the BEST possible destinations for Stafford next season. I’m not saying this is where he’ll end up, but if I was Matthew Stafford this is where I would want to play.
Indianapolis Colts
Phillip Rivers recently announced his retirement, leaving a vacancy at the quarterback position in Indy. Indianapolis isn’t the most glamorous place to finish a career, but I believe Stafford could have instant success with the Colts. Rivers and Stafford play a similar style game which was good enough to take the Colts to the playoffs this year.
The Colts have made ballsy moves in the past, proven by the DeForest Buckner trade a year ago, so I wouldn’t be too shocked if they went after the veteran QB. Jacoby Brissett and Jacob Eason are still on the roster but, come on folks, would you take Brissett over Stafford? Hell no.
New England Patriots
If you think Bill Belichick is going to hold on for another season with Cam Newton at the helm, you’ve lost your damn mind. Jarrett Stidham is still an option, but I think if Belichick had any faith in the young quarterback he would have never signed Newton last season.
This could be in the Patriots best interest considering it’s highly unlikely any of the 1st round caliber quarterbacks drop down to pick 15. Unless Belichick somehow pulls off the greatest draft-day conspiracy theory of all time and causes Trevor Lawrence to tank to #15, but that’s a story for another day.
If the Patriots end up snagging Stafford this offseason, I’m putting ALL my money on the Patriots to make the playoffs in 2021.
Houston Texans
It hasn’t happened yet, but soon the Texan’s star quarterback Deshaun Watson will be shipped off in a mega blockbuster trade. With Stafford on the trade block, I’m curious to see if the Lions and Texans would ever work out a swap deal involving some extra picks for Houston.
The Texans continue to be the Texans -- stubborn as hell. No sort of agreement has been reached, the front office has gone behind Watson’s back to hire a GM, and worst of all they still haven’t found a head coach. The Texans are a mess right now, but bringing in Stafford would certainly dampen the blow from losing Watson.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are a dangerous dark horse in this season’s unusual quarterback market. You never know exactly what Jerry Jones is going to do, that money-hungry son of a bitch. The contract disputes with Dak Prescott have gone on far too long, and considering Prescott’s injury last season the idea of Dallas picking up a new play caller is slightly less crazy.
Andy Dalton is more than likely moving on from his one-year stint in Dallas, and it’s safe to say Ben DiNucci isn’t fit for the starting position. If the Cowboys aren’t willing to pay Dak ridiculous amounts of money, Stafford should be their top priority this offseason.
Personally, I believe the Cowboys should nut up and pay Dak. They got an absolute fucking gift with his rookie salary, and the two-time pro bowler has more than earned his paycheck. I could write a whole ‘nother blog on the Dak situation, but don’t sleep on the Cowboys as a legit contender to sign Stafford this offseason.
No matter where Stafford ends up, he is going to produce pro bowl caliber numbers. The dude is a baller.