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The NFL offseason quarterback market added another domino over the weekend, with Matthew Stafford considering a fresh start.
As NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported over the weekend, Stafford and the Detroit Lions agreed to go their separate ways after the veteran quarterback expressed his desire for a trade. And I understand why he would want to go out. Since being selected first overall by the Lions in the 2009 NFL Draft, Stafford has played for three head coaches (four, if you include interim coach Darrell Bevell, who replaced Matt Patricia for season 2020) in 12 seasons, going from 0-3 in playoff appearances. And, if he stayed in Detroit, he would operate under another new front office coaching regime, with the Lions hiring Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes.
The 32-year-old has suffered a number of injuries in recent years and is coming off his third consecutive losing season. Yet, knowing that the appellants are now in their forties, I believe there will be a competitive market for a player of Stafford’s caliber and his relative youth. In 2020, he put together an impressive stat line (4,084 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns and 10 picks in 16 games) while showing that his arm strength is as great as it gets. has never been. He also moves much better than most people attribute to him.
Now Stafford can’t just walk away as he has two years, worth $ 43 million, left on his current contract. Any team that acquires him in a trade should think about what cap they would face, although there is a possibility that his contract will be restructured if it lands elsewhere.
The Lions are in rebuild mode, with new staff in place, and will demand a pretty penny (rather a bevy of draft picks) in return, and I can’t blame them. Look at some other comparable trades from the past 10 years. Carson Palmer, 31, was worth a first and second round pick in 2011; an inconsistent and injury-riddled Sam Bradford was worth a first and fourth round in 2016; and a stable Alex Smith was worth a third round and a half corner Kendall Fuller in 2018. I would give up more for Stafford than any of these players commanded; with the current rate seemingly increasing for valuable players year on year, I would actually be the crazy person trading first three rounds for him. OK, I know it might be a little steep, but there are so many unknowns when drafting a quarterback. There would be no question of what I would get with Stafford.
Stafford has played in a number of offenses with multiple offensive coordinators / players, and his play has remained relatively consistent. He’s been immersed in many different scenarios and has proven that he can be successful no matter what the situation is.
Below, I’ve provided a list of six potential landing points for Stafford – most likely to least – along with potential trade packages.
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