Nothing positive would come of Stafford playing
Matt Patricia has listed Matthew Stafford as day-to-day and week-to-week. If Patricia turned to Stafford and gave him the opportunity to play, I’m sure Matthew would throw on his helmet and sprint onto the field gleefully. But this isn’t a matter of whether Matthew wants to play or not, it’s about balancing his future with the Lions against what would be accomplished if he did suit up now.
The Lions play in possibly the toughest division in the NFL. They haven’t won a game in three attempts against their divisional foes and they only have one game against each of their rivals left this year. They do not have the opportunity to sweep the Bears, Packers or Vikings and get a huge two-game swing they would need in addition to a lot of help in order to give them any kind of chance.
So with the competitive part of the season over, why would anyone keep Stafford on the active roster and risk his health for no reason? If the Lions were playing in the NFC championship game or the Super Bowl, I would certainly understand playing him, but anything short of that is a risk not worth taking.
So why hasn’t Patricia shut Stafford down? Why hasn’t Martha Firestone Ford stepped in and demanded they protect their franchise?
Obviously, if Matthew Stafford could get back on the field he would give them a chance to win games. It certainly doesn’t look like the defense is going to put them in a position to win and neither is a ball-control running game. After all, you can’t control the clock if you can’t run the ball.
Matthew has been outstanding this season and all hope of winning games under current circumstances is dependent on his right arm.
So the possible idea that Matt Patricia could save his job by playing Stafford could be in play. After all, the Jets are mired in a horrible season, but ownership at least came out this past week and told the press that Adam Gase will be back next year. There has been no such vote of confidence from Mrs. Ford. At least not publicly. So Patricia might feel like he’s coaching for his job.