NFL
By: Ryan Cooley
The Detriot Lions announced Saturday that they would be parting ways with quarterback Matthew Stafford via trade. The Lions selected Stafford with the first overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft. In 12 years with Detriot, he has thrown for over 4,000 yards eight times. His best season came in 2011 when he threw for over 5,000 yards, 41 TDs, and 16 INTs.
There is a lot of speculation about what it would cost to trade for the veteran quarterback. I imagine a first-round pick would be the starting point. Several teams are looking for a quarterback, which may drive up the price.
Here are five potential landing spots for Matthew Stafford.
San Fransisco 49ers
The Jimmy Garoppolo experiment looks bleak. From injuries to lackluster play, Jimmy G has not lived up to expectations in the Bay Area. Many believe Shanahan will move on and look for a new signal-caller this offseason.
The 49ers were just in the Super Bowl last season. They still have a lot of talent but need a quarterback they can rely on. Stafford has endured a number of injuries throughout his career. However, he tends to play through them, missing only eight games since 2011.
With the addition of Stafford and a healthy defense, the 49ers might be back on top in the NFC West.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts’ season ended after losing to the Bills in the first round of the playoffs. Indianapolis has several pieces that would benefit Stafford, especially their offensive line. Philip Rivers played well but announced he is retiring. With Brissett set to become a free agent, the Colts are desperate for a quarterback.
Stafford would give them a better chance to win. He ended this season with an 82 grade, while Rivers only managed a 77.2. The Colts hold the 21st pick in the draft, so it will be difficult to select a quarterback that can have an impact that Stafford would.
Washington Football Team
Much like the 49ers and Colts, Washington is a competitive team desperate for a quarterback. Smith is unlikely to be back in the burgundy and gold in 2021. They have options at quarterback, but Stafford might be their best bet.
Rivera said after the season, this team is close. They believe a quarterback and a legitimate #2 receiver would make them contenders. Washington currently holds the 19th overall pick in the draft making it difficult to grab a quarterback.
New England Patriots
Belichick will watch Brady play in a Super Bowl in his first season outside of New England. Some say this doesn’t bother him, but it can’t feel good. He knows that New England will need a quarterback if they want to be competitive again.
The Patriots are in a strange situation. Some believe they should rebuild, while others think they could be competitive with a couple of pieces. If they want to bring Stafford in, they will also need to revamp their entire receiving core.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos have struggled to find a quarterback since Peyton Manning retired five years ago. Denver has had nine starting quarterbacks in that time. They selected Drew Lock in the 2nd round of the 2019 draft. He hasn’t looked promising in his two years, earning a 58.1 grade in 2019 and a 63.5 this season.
Denver has a promising receiving core with Sutton, Jeudy, Hamler at wide receiver, and Fant at tight end. Adding Stafford could make this a dangerous offense. The problem here is them not being ready to compete. Their offensive line struggled, and the defense ranked 25th in the league. Adding Stafford will help, but he will not solve all of their problems.
