Lions GM reiterates Matthew Stafford trade rumors '100% false'

There’s been a lot of smoke surrounding Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford potentially being on the trade block lately. On Friday, general manager Bob Quinn once again shot the trade rumors down with an emphatic quote.

Quinn did a lengthy video interview with Lions employee Tori Petry, and in it he said that any reports indicating the Lions are considering trading Stafford are “100% false.”

A few takeaways from my sit down with Bob Quinn:

Quinn reiterated that Matthew Stafford is their quarterback and trade rumors were 100% false.

I asked about negotiations with Darius Slay and he was quiet on them but says they’re ongoing, including in the last couple of weeks.
— Tori Petry (@sportstori) February 21, 2020

The Lions inked Stafford to a five-year, $135 million extension in 2017, and before he was injured last season he was having one of his finest seasons as a pro. He’s clearly one of the upper-echelon quarterbacks currently playing in the NFL, so it’s understandable that the Lions feel they need to continue building around him rather than trade him.

However, there are good reasons for exploring the alternative, even if the Lions won’t (publicly) consider them. Though, given the way Stafford’s wife has come out against the Lions recently, perhaps they should.