The Detroit Lions and Matthew Stafford have mutually agreed to part ways this offseason and the team has begun to field trade offers for his contract.
Stafford will have his suitors. There are plenty of teams looking for a quarterback with his skills and despite the cat being let out of the bag, teams will still be positioning themselves to acquire his services.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that “the Lions are expected to receive at least a first-round pick” in a trade for Matthew Stafford.
A first-round pick is where the conversation should begin, and realistically, for a 33-year-old quarterback, still performing at a high level, and carrying a realistic contract, the Lions should be asking for more.
“Despite Stafford’s age and injury history, there figures to be a strong trade market if the Lions are willing to move him,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelliserro reported. “He has two years and $43 million left on his contract – a bargain price for a quarterback who is still playing at a high level. Among others, the Broncos, Colts, Panthers, Patriots, Saints and Washington Football Team enter 2021 with significant QB questions.”
As far as the timing of a trade, the Lions will have time to contemplate offers, but they will also be on a clock.
“Any trade would likely happen prior to the fifth day of the 2021 league year in March, when Stafford is due a $10 million roster bonus”, Pelliserro said. “The Lions would carry $19 million in dead money on their salary cap in 2021, but a trade would yield a savings of $14 million in cap space and $20 million in cash at a time the NFL’s salary cap is expected to drop.”
