Matthew Stafford Trade Rumors: Writer Hints at Huge Lions Move

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CGI_Ram

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Matthew Stafford Trade Rumors: Writer Hints at Huge Lions Move

The Detroit Lions could have a big decision to make as it relates to what to do with Matthew Stafford, and that decision might not be that cut and dry according to some.

As rumors have persisted, could the team move on from Stafford this offseason and look to deal him. According to Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, that’s just what he’s been hearing coming out of Mobile, Alabama and the Senior Bowl.


View: https://twitter.com/omarkelly/status/1220696148316446721?s=21


According to Kelly, rumors continue to persist that the Lions will move on from Stafford this offseason, or at the very least could consider doing just that.

The Lions moving on from Stafford outright could be problematic given his massive dead cap hit, and also the downgrade from an established veteran to a player who has never played in the NFL before. Obviously, for the Lions to even consider such a move, they would need a ton of draft pick in return.

At the very least, such rumors provide a valuable smokescreen for the Lions, who could use any type of advantage when it comes to the No. 3 pick in terms of levrage. Most understand the Lions need defense, but if there are rumors they are hunting a quarterback, that could force a better trade for their pick or perhaps even No. 2.
 

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Could Lions Draft Tua Tagovailoa?

The Lions could be planning a surprise for everyone watching the 2020 NFL Draft in the coming months. According to Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the Lions could be in play to select a quarterback high in the draft thanks to the injury concerns with Matthew Stafford.


View: https://twitter.com/omarkelly/status/1219752078450532352?s=21


Kelly followed this take up by saying that the Lions had wanted to take a quarterback last year, but got cold feet in doing so.


View: https://twitter.com/omarkelly/status/1219763673809522691?s=21


Is this legitimate information or a pre-draft smoke screen? Likely some of both. The Lions need help at quarterback after Stafford’s injury, but that help could come in free agency in the form of a veteran or much later in the draft. It’s true that the Lions were evaluating quarterbacks in 2019, and may have just missed out on a chance to select Drew Lock in the second round.

This year, though, everything could be on the table for the team at the position.
 

Merlin

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I firmly believe if you like one of the signal callers and you're up high like that it's not a choice take the QB. You can go find RBs anywhere in the draft. Even linemen. But if that QB has a chance to hit and fits your scheme and what you want to do... Roll the dice.
 

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I firmly believe if you like one of the signal callers and you're up high like that it's not a choice take the QB. You can go find RBs anywhere in the draft. Even linemen. But if that QB has a chance to hit and fits your scheme and what you want to do... Roll the dice.

Agree.
 

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Depending on when the workout bonus is payable, trading him would cost them $10.8 million or $10.3 million in cap space this season - but save them a ton in future years. A team trading for him would add either $7.8 million or $8.3 million in salary, again depending on which team pays the workout bonus - though a bunch more in future years. I doubt he would bring back much in trade given his future costs, but it's not clear if the Lions would demand all that much in return. They suck with or without him, so getting picks to rebuild the team makes sense. One more bad year because of cap and general ineptitude, then start rebuilding with picks and cap space.
 

Merlin

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Depending on when the workout bonus is payable, trading him would cost them $10.8 million or $10.3 million in cap space this season - but save them a ton in future years. A team trading for him would add either $7.8 million or $8.3 million in salary, again depending on which team pays the workout bonus - though a bunch more in future years. I doubt he would bring back much in trade given his future costs, but it's not clear if the Lions would demand all that much in return. They suck with or without him, so getting picks to rebuild the team makes sense. One more bad year because of cap and general ineptitude, then start rebuilding with picks and cap space.
What is going to be funny is they'll draft the QB, the Lions will be shitty again because they have a young QB who has to learn as well as other holes in the roster, then after the season the owner will get good idea fairy suggestions from his luxury box hangers-on to go get an offensive genius to shape the QB. :ROFLMAO:
 

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Strange I can't see any Lions sites anywhere talking about this though.
 

Akrasian

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What is going to be funny is they'll draft the QB, the Lions will be shitty again because they have a young QB who has to learn as well as other holes in the roster, then after the season the owner will get good idea fairy suggestions from his luxury box hangers-on to go get an offensive genius to shape the QB. :ROFLMAO:

Yeah, they need to stick to a plan. It's just that they're shitty with Stafford, and don't have that much around him anyway. They need to blow it up for five years, especially since year one with a new QB on a bad team almost never goes well. Take a cap hit for year one, have draft picks to build a new team, etc. I doubt they will do it. And if they do go ahead with it, their history shows they won't continue and give it time. Fortunately, I have never been a Lions fan.
 

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same vicious circle the Rams were in 5-13 years ago. In need of improvements at almost every position, a high draft pick, and a lousy front office
 

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What is going to be funny is they'll draft the QB, the Lions will be shitty again because they have a young QB who has to learn as well as other holes in the roster, then after the season the owner will get good idea fairy suggestions from his luxury box hangers-on to go get an offensive genius to shape the QB. :ROFLMAO:

I agree with everything except for the bolded: the owner of the Lions is currently the late Ford's wife.
 

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Get what they can for Stafford and draft Tua. Even the Lions can turn things around in a couple of years. Time to turn the page.
 

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Stafford turns 32 in a couple of weeks. I think it’s very possible Detroit drafts a QB, sitting pretty at #3... this is a good shot to do it.

I’d love to see Stafford on another team. Just to see him outside of that Cleveland-like Detroit ecosystem.
 

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Stafford turns 32 in a couple of weeks. I think it’s very possible Detroit drafts a QB, sitting pretty at #3... this is a good shot to do it.

I’d love to see Stafford on another team. Just to see him outside of that Cleveland-like Detroit ecosystem.
I do think Tua is overrated on most boards right now in the media due to his injury history and height. The height is not a huge deal, mind you, but I think it affects some teams and what they want. And if I'm picking that high the dislocated hip not to mention the ankle issues would scare me.

I mean how much better is Tua than Love? Maybe it's just that I have a really high opinion of Love but I think he's a safer choice for an NFL career. In fact call me crazy but if I were the Lions maybe I'd take Love at 3 overall and let him sit on the bench behind Stafford. If the Lions want a pocket type then they could do the same with Herbert and let him sit to start out.
 

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Stafford turns 32 in a couple of weeks. I think it’s very possible Detroit drafts a QB, sitting pretty at #3... this is a good shot to do it.

I’d love to see Stafford on another team. Just to see him outside of that Cleveland-like Detroit ecosystem.

Aye, I actually wanted us to make a bid for him before we drafted Goff, then the Lion's resigned him. I agree would love to see him on a more functional, competitive team other than the Lions and see how he does. I could see Miami or Tampa being in play for him, I don't know if I would categorize either of them as more complete or functional though.
 

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I do think Tua is overrated on most boards right now in the media due to his injury history and height. The height is not a huge deal, mind you, but I think it affects some teams and what they want. And if I'm picking that high the dislocated hip not to mention the ankle issues would scare me.

At the moment, this is where my head is at too.