Notes: Matthew Stafford ‘happy to have’ Chase Daniel on team

A few weeks ago, the Detroit Lions signed backup quarterback Chase Daniel to a three-year deal. During his introductory teleconference with the Lions media, Daniel spoke of his shared history with starting quarterback Matthew Stafford—who grew up just miles apart from him in the Dallas, Texas area.

“(He’s) one of the better stars to come out of—if not the best star—to come out of Highland Park High School, and my family lived there, in Highland Park, for the last eight years before we moved out to California,” Daniel said. “So we’re very familiar with Matt and that area.”

This week, Stafford talked to DetroitLions.com and talked about his side of the relationship between the two.

“We grew up not far from each other. He and I have known each other for a long time,” Stafford said per Mike O’Hara. “Off and on throughout our NFL careers. I’d go up and talk to him whenever we played one of his teams. I’m happy to have him here. He’s a guy who’s been around some good offenses and some good offensive minds.”

Daniel brings a different outlook on the game as he’s spent much of his time under different offensive schemes. But after watching some Lions tape last year during his time with the Bears, Daniel was drawn to offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell’s scheme in Detroit.

“Matt was firing on all cylinders, and obviously the back situation happened, really, before our game and it was sad to see, but one of the reasons I came to Detroit was to work with Bev,” Daniel said.

While the two obviously haven’t been able to meet face-to-face in this era of social distancing, it will cool to see the two reunite again, but this time in Allen Park.

• On Wednesday night, a rumor perpetuated by Colin Cowherd and Bill Simmons traveled the internet suggesting that Patriots receiver Julian Edelman was on his was to the Detroit Lions. Justin Rogers of the Detroit News broke down why this rumor is almost certainly false and doesn’t make any sense in the first place.

• Here’s a nice overlook of the biggest changes coming from the new collective bargaining agreement:

• DetroitLions.com caught up with Lions linebacker Jahlani Tavai for a quick Q&A during his quarantine.

• Tori Petry talked with NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport to recap the Lions’ free agency moves and talk about the upcoming draft:

• The Detroit Free Press’ Carlos Monarrez handed out some surprisingly good grades for the Lions’ second-wave free agency signings.

• Here’s Frank Ragnow doing an amazing Austin Powers impression to cheer you up.