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One other productive NFL quarterback is on the commerce market, increasing the deep pool of obtainable passers this offseason.
Matthew Stafford is reportedly completed with the Lions and has requested a transfer elsewhere, in line with a number of stories. He has spent his complete 12-year profession in Detroit, however needs the chance to return to the playoffs earlier than retirement.
The No. 1 general decide within the 2009 NFL Draft joins Deshaun Watson, Carson Wentz and Tua Tagovailoa as passers probably set to depart their groups by way of commerce — to not point out the likes of Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton, who hit the open market in free company. After a wholesome 2020 season produced greater than 4,000 passing yards and 26 landing passes to 10 interceptions, Stafford shall be some of the sought-after choices of that group, maybe behind solely Watson in stature.
A number of AFC groups appear to be good matches for Stafford, together with the Colts, Patriots and Steelers. The 32-year-old — he turns 33 in February — is best suited to a roster capable of compete instantly than one needing to execute a multi-year rebuilding plan. ESPN reported Saturday that the Lions would probably obtain not less than a first-round decide for him.
League supply says Matthew Stafford approached the Lions after the season, steered a commerce could also be within the pursuits of each events, and the Lions agreed this week to discover that choice.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 23, 2021
2/2 Holmes and Campbell each knew of Stafford’s curiosity in exploring a commerce for each side earlier than they have been employed. Lions aren’t believed to have begun searching for gives but however the course of is transferring ahead.
— Dan Miller (@DanMillerFox2) January 23, 2021
MORE: Deshaun Watson trade tracker
Stafford is owed $43 million via subsequent season — a part of a contract quantity that was thought-about onerous when he first signed, however is now considered as team-friendly, given escalating funds for quarterbacks across the league and his repeatedly strong efficiency.
Beneath is an outline of the place Stafford is perhaps headed as soon as the offseason begins:
Potential commerce locations for Matthew Stafford
Colts
With Philip Rivers retiring, Indianapolis has cause to dip into its cap house for Stafford, who would supply the identical regular hand Rivers did throughout an 11-5 season. The Colts boast some of the well-rounded rosters within the NFL; with the Texans and Jaguars nowhere close to competition, they’ve solely the Titans to take care of within the AFC South.
As Stafford ages, having a succesful working sport to maintain defenses from honing in on his arm could be useful. Rookie sensation Jonathan Taylor, then, could be a vital ally in his success. Stafford additionally needed to play from behind in Detroit a lot of the time, an incidence that may in all probability be much less frequent in Indianapolis.
The Colts aren’t precisely loaded with broad receivers — Michael Pittman Jr. is the one one with apparent upside — however they’ve sufficient occurring exterior for Stafford to really feel supported.
Patriots
Simply because the Cam Newton period was a dud does not imply New England plans to simply accept a dropping document and excessive draft decide subsequent yr. Eight Patriots gamers opted out of this previous marketing campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however their protection nonetheless ranked seventh in factors allowed. With the anticipated returns of Patrick Chung and Dont’a Hightower to that group, a return to competition is not not possible.
Stafford would give the Patriots an exponential offensive carry, although the franchise wants to search out simpler receivers than the Jacobi Myers-led corps that floundered in 2020.
Steelers
Stafford could be an thrilling substitute for Ben Roethlisberger if the latter retires this offseason. Even when JuJu Smith-Schuster leaves Pittsburgh in free company, the Steelers’ cross catchers must be among the many NFL’s greatest. It has been a very long time since Stafford had a duo with the potential of Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool.
A scarcity of cap room makes a Stafford commerce to Pittsburgh extraordinarily troublesome — Roethlisberger alone has a lifeless cap of $22.25 million and the franchise is projected to be well above its allotted 2021 space — however the potential reward for the franchise, if the cash could be labored out, could be immense.
Different touchdown spots
The 49ers, Dolphins, Panthers, Washington Soccer Workforce and Broncos are among the many groups which have additionally been mentioned in Stafford commerce rumors.
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