Saturday night’s breaking news that the Detroit Lions will attempt to trade longtime quarterback Matthew Stafford sent shock waves across the Lions landscape.
It even struck a few former teammates of Stafford. Several players who spent time alongside Stafford in his 12 seasons in Detroit offered some opinions on Twitter on the stunning news.
The most prominent one came from Golden Tate, who caught 416 passes from Stafford in four-plus seasons in Detroit before being traded in 2018. Tate spent the last two seasons with the New York Giants.
His tribute to Stafford was retweeted by several Lions players and alums, including current RB/PR Jamal Agnew,
Staff and his family have given the city of Detroit their ALL from day one and I know the city appreciates it. He deserves to have a chance to win a ring somewhere. @Lions and the Ford family are class acts. https://t.co/AhtoYCRmuC
— Golden Tate (@ShowtimeTate) January 24, 2021
Will be weird to see Stafford in a different uniform but I hope he gets a chance to win a championship in the next couple years. Guy deserves it. https://t.co/lyxAtLwNe0
— TJ Lang (@TJLang70) January 23, 2021
My guys!!! Legends 💪🏾 https://t.co/kLhaI5wu10
— Darius Slay (@bigplay24slay) January 24, 2021
One of most amazing players I’ve had ever the opportunity to be around. Truly wish him the best 🤝🤝 https://t.co/qLsvZquCYx
— Ty Johnson (@T_Johns6) January 24, 2021
Legendary! https://t.co/NJPLdQErmd
— Nino (@qdiggs6) January 24, 2021
It’s time. It’s the right move for Matthew & right move for the @Lions
I just hope he eventually is appreciated. He played his absolutely rocks off-did everything he could to try and fix the place and to win. Guy is the absolute best man. Wherever he goes became SB contender https://t.co/cFGw43oxNm— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) January 23, 2021
The “Voice of the Lions:”, Dan Miller, offered his take too,
Totally understand this for all sides. Strange to think about Stafford in another uniform. Even stranger to wonder who the Lions quarterback will be next season. Been a long time since we even had to give that any thought around here.
— Dan Miller (@DanMillerFox2) January 24, 2021