[brid video=”705716″ player=”23231″ title=”Manno%20A%20Mano%20A%20Conversation%20with%20Michael%20Lombardi” duration=”860″ description=”Carolyn Manno is joined by the one and only Michael Lombardi. They both discuss the latest on Patrick Mahomes’ concussion, and the possibility the Chiefs may have to play without him, Tom Brady’s evolution of gameplay, and future in the sport, as well as the upcoming Packers, Buccaneers game. ” uploaddate=”2021-01-20 19:23:27″ thumbnailurl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/thumb/705716_t_1611170699.png” contentUrl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/sd/705716.mp4″]
Throughout the 2020 season, NFL rumors had pointed to a potential Matthew Stafford trade from the Detroit Lions. That was taken to a whole new level 11 games into the campaign after head coach Matt Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn were fired.
Now that the Lions have a new brass in that of head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes, the hope in Detroit was that this organization could mend fences with its franchise quarterback.
It’s not yet known whether Stafford is happy with the Lions’ new hires. What we do know is that he’s highly unlikely going to be willing to take part in a long-term rebuild in Detroit.
Related: Letter to the Detroit Lions. Trade Matthew Stafford
Is a Matthew Stafford trade brewing?
NFL Media personality and former quarterback Boomer Esiason played into NFL rumors suggesting Stafford wants to be traded by saying, that he hears Stafford wants out during a CBS Radio appearance on Thursday.
Coming off a five-win season and having failed to earn a playoff spot since 2016, Detroit does not have the talent to be relevant in the postseason conversation over the short term. Heading into his Age-33 season, it makes sense that Stafford wouldn’t want to remain in Detroit.
Read More: 4 likeliest Matthew Stafford trade scenarios
The former No. 1 pick will be a highly sought-after commodity on the trade block should he force himself out of Detroit. Despite the team’s struggles in 2020, Stafford still put up 4,084 passing yards with 26 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. This represented his eighth career 4,000-yard season since entering the league back in 2009.
NFL rumors continue to point to an active trade market for quarterbacks
The Atlanta Falcons are now likely going to retain Matt Ryan after hiring the offensive-minded Arthur Smith as head coach earlier this month. Smith made that clear during his introductory press conference. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles’ new hire seems to suggest that embattled quarterback Carson Wentz will remain in the City of Brotherly Love.
This doesn’t mean teams looking for a quarterback are going to be left out in the cold. In addition to Stafford, there’s a darn good chance that the Houston Texans are going to be forced to trade Deshaun Watson. He’s unhappy with the direction of the organization and has reportedly threatened a holdout next season short of a trade happening.
Obviously, Watson would be the primary target of quarterback-needy teams on the NFL trade block. Stafford would come in at a distant second.
Read More: Ranking the top-10 NFL quarterbacks who could change teams during NFL free agency
Even then, there’s two lesser quarterbacks who could be moved. Depending on what the New York Jets plan to do with the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Sam Darnold could be on the outs.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo could also be traded if they were to land either Stafford or Watson in a trade. San Francisco has been linked to veteran upgrades at quarterback following Garoppolo’s injury-plagued 2020 season.
That’s at least four starter-caliber quarterbacks who could be on the trade block this offseason. This recent report regarding Matthew Stafford now makes it clear that he will be playing in another city next season, adding to the plethora of veteran quarterbacks who could be on the move come March.
Click here for more NFL news and rumors.