Is this Matthew Stafford’s last game as a Lion? No miracles please

Stafford deserves a chance with a real NFL team

The completion of the Lions game against the Vikings will officially mark the end of the era of former general manager Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia.

Yes, we all realize they have been gone since their dismissal back at Thanksgiving, but the current roster and coaching staff are their handy work. I think we should all be prepared to see plenty of changes before next season rolls around.

I had one friend that said he would be in favor of a Troy Weaver-style of house cleaning. Considering how historically awful this defense has been especially, I don’t think many fans would argue too much. Even though it would be extremely difficult in the NFL due to roster size.

However, even with a complete rebuild, there are some parts on offense that could fit in as pieces of the puzzle moving forward. Frank Ragnow and Jonah Jackson could anchor the line for years to come.

D’Andre Swift is a dynamic, versatile running back that any team could use, and tight end T.J. Hockenson has taken the huge step forward everyone hoped he would in his second season. This marks a few essential players to build the offense around for whoever is at quarterback next year.

The argument will continue to rage among the press and fan base about Matthew Stafford’s return until an actual decision is made. If this team is being torn apart and rebuilt, then keeping Stafford makes no sense.

For those who want him to mentor the Lions future passer, this would only further waste his talents in a no-win situation while also allowing this team to be just good enough to not finish bottoming out for the high draft picks that help a rebuild.

Also if we’re being honest and fair to Matthew, he deserves an opportunity to play for a real NFL team while he still has something left in the tank. Consider this mercifully freeing him from his sentence.

Meanwhile, a complete rebuild without Stafford would have definite growing pains, but at least the building process is a good reason for those pains instead of continuing on an endless cycle to nowhere like the Lions have for the last 60 years.

Now with the season almost over, the only thing left is for the Lions defense to fuel one more loss.