Despite Detroit Lions executives coming forward to squash any trade rumors, one analyst is still rooting for Detroit to send Matthew Stafford out to the Golden State.
In his offseason wish list, Around the NFL writer Marc Sessler ships the Lions quarterback off to sunny Los Angeles.
“The move is tricky — and highly unlikely — due to the $30 million-plus dead-cap hit the Lions would incur, but everything changes if Detroit snatches a young quarterback with the No. 3 overall pick. Battling to win hearts in Los Angeles, the Chargers could do worse than a household name with a rocket arm. A fresh start would help Stafford, too. His wife, Kelly, is open to this plan, writing on her Instagram story: ‘Well if Detroit is done with us ... I could stay in Cali.’”
You’ll recall Bernie Smilovitz of Detroit’s Local 4 reported that the Lions had been discussing trading Stafford. But Lions general manager Bob Quinn told the Detroit Free Press that’s just simply not the case — “100% False!!” to put it exactly.
Of note, he also sends Phillip Rivers off to join coach Jon Gruden and the Las Vegas Raiders.
While Tua believers might support the notion of trading Stafford away, I’m not quite sure that quite falls in line with Martha Firestone Ford’s “must-win-now” decree.
“To be clear, our expectation is for the Lions to be a playoff contender in 2020.”
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
And onto the rest of your notes.
- Justin Rogers of the Detroit News takes a look at how Stafford’s contract is structured as trade rumors swirl.
- Carlos Monarrez of the Free Press has a list of eight free agents that could make sense for the Lions in 2020.
- A fun twist on the average mock draft from Zack Moran at Lions Wire — a mock draft in which only prospects from the University of Michigan are selected.
- The Lions have been releasing a series of highlight vids, including Jahlani Tavai’s over the weekend.
- Richard Sherman says Darius Slay isn’t getting enough credit - just because he plays for the Lions. Dave Birkett for Freep has more.
- MLive’s Benjamin Raven has a neat running article where he highlights how Michigan, Michigan State, Detroit Lions, and Michigan-based college players are performing in the XFL.
- A charity online auction to win neat stuff.
Check out our Detroit Lions Charities online auction! This week only, you can win exclusive items while giving back to the community.
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) February 17, 2020
Visit https://t.co/PMUVo6YcVc to bid on limited items like an autographed @garthbrooks guitar and concert tickets! pic.twitter.com/PWQh2SkRNi