Report: Detroit Lions have discussed trading Chase Daniel with other teams

The Detroit Lions may not be done trading quarterbacks away this offseason. While the Matthew Stafford trade has yet to become official, the Lions have reportedly discussed also sending backup Chase Daniel away in a trade, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Daniel signed a three-year, $13.05 million contract with Detroit last year to be the team’s backup behind Stafford. He made four game appearances in 2020, with his most notable performance being in Week 16 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after Stafford went down with an injury one drive into the game. In that game, Daniel went 13-of-18 for 86 yards.

Daniel is considered a solid resource in the quarterback room as a 12-year veteran, something the Lions may be in need of if they decide to take a quarterback in April’s draft. However, the Lions did just hire a former NFL quarterback in Mark Brunell to be the team’s new quarterbacks coach.

Additionally, this move would benefit the Lions financially. Daniel is due to take $5.3 million of Detroit’s 2021 cap space, which seems a bit large considering they’re already spending $27.8 million on Jared Goff and $19 million in dead cap from Stafford’s contract. Moving Daniel would clear up $3.8 million, while only costing the team $1.5 million in dead cap—not to mention the obvious draft compensation benefit from whatever they got in return.

As of now, it’s unclear how much of a market there is for the 34-year-old quarterback, but the Lions would likely not be asking for much in return.