Ex-Lions GM Martin Mayhew, who once said he’d win a Super Bowl if he had ’22 Matthew Staffords,’ now may have a chance to acquire his old draft pick
Matthew Stafford will be on the move this offseason, so long as the Detroit Lions can get a fair return in a trade. And given the number of potential suitors — playoff-caliber teams who need a quarterback and are of the win-now mindset — that should not be difficult to do. Here is a look at top eight potential trade partners, what they can offer in a deal, and why it might or might not make sense for the Lions to pull the trigger. JEFF SEIDEL: Trading Stafford sounds like ‘Same Old Lions’ but here’s why that’s wrong QB depth chart: Philip Rivers (retiring), Jacoby Brissett (free agent), Jacob Eason.2020 record: 11-5 (second place AFC South).2021 draft capital: No.21 overall; six picks in Rounds 2-7. Trade talk: Rivers announced his retirement earlier this week, but even if he planned to play again in 2021, the Colts were going to be looking for his replacement. Indianapolis had one of the league’s best defenses this season, and has seemed a quarterback away since Andrew Luck’s abrupt retirement. The Colts have the cap space, an estimated $60 million or so, to pull off a deal and make Stafford more than a two-year rental. And general manager Chris Ballard has shown a willingness to trade for established players in the past, like when he gave up the No.13 pick in last year’s draft for defensive lineman DeForest Buckner. SHAWN WINDSOR: Lions are about to set Stafford free. It may hurt, but makes sense for all A good quarterback is worth more than a top-flight interior defender, so Stafford should command a bigger price tag than Buckner. The Colts’ first-round selection is attractive enough, though, that it could be the center piece of a deal. Throw in a second-rounder or some additional compensation, and this is a deal that could get done. QB depth chart: Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Mullens (restricted free agent), C.J. Beathard, Josh Rosen.2020 record: 6-10 (last place, NFC West).2021 draft capital: No.12 overall; seven picks in Rounds 2-7. Trade talk: The 49ers have the most attractive first-round pick of potential Stafford suitors, and that should not be discounted. The caliber of player the Lions could get at 12, especially if multiple quarterbacks get pushed into the top 10, will be significantly better than the type of player the Lions could get in the 20s. And with Stafford gone, and the distinct possibility they are not very good again in 2021, the Lions must take a long-term approach to any trade. The 49ers seem ready to move on from Garoppolo, who helped them reach the Super Bowl in his only full season as a starter but missed 10 games this season and is merely average. He could be part of any trade, but with a $24.1 million base salary I’m not sure the Lions would view him an asset. Regardless, the 49ers have a championship-caliber roster outside of the quarterback position, a coach who has twice tasted Super Bowl defeat, and prominent people in the Bay Area — including legendary ex-49ers quarterback Steve Young — who have been beating the drum on acquiring Stafford for weeks. The 49ers are definitely a suitor to watch. MITCH ALBOM: Stafford leaving the Lions was inevitable, but still depressing QB depth chart: Drew Brees (likely retiring), Taysom Hill, Jameis Winston (free agent).
