Detroit Lions could have traded Matthew Stafford to Miami
A report has emerged that the Miami Dolphins asked about Matthew Stafford in a possible trade scenario last year. Did the Detroit Lions make the right choice?
After ten years as quarterback of the Detroit Lions and no playoff victories under his belt, is it any wonder why some fans want to move on from 31-year old quarterback Matthew Stafford? Arguably, the greatest passer in franchise history, Stafford is the team’s top player and one of the highest paid quarterbacks in the NFL.
Most trade scenarios involving a franchise quarterback are nothing more than fantasy and wishful thinking. But according to Armando Salguero, columnist for the Miami Herald, a trade for Stafford was at least discussed last season according to several league sources.
According to the report, former Miami Dolphins’ head coach Adam Gase (now the New York Jets head coach) reached out the then-new Lions’ head coach Matt Patricia about a possible trade for Stafford. Apparently, the conversation never got to the point of discussing possible trade compensation as Patricia wasn’t willing to deal Stafford.
But was that the right choice? With Stafford cemented under center last season, the Lions posted their worst record since 2012. And Detroit suddenly finds themselves in the basement of the NFC North after being to the playoffs twice in the previous four seasons.
According to OverTheCap.com, Stafford was the second highest paid quarterback in the NFL last year. He threw for 3,777 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2018. But Stafford’s 89.9 quarterback rating was the 25th worst in the NFL last season. And you simply need more from a player taking up that much of your salary cap space.
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Based on the Detroit Lions’ latest free agent signings and recent comments by Patricia himself, Detroit is in win-now mode. And making a change at the quarterback position seems like the last thing you’d want to do. But Matthew Stafford is entering his 11th NFL season and is on the wrong side of 30. If the Lions continue to lose under his watch, fans will be left wondering what if.