The Los Angeles Rams reportedly agreed on Saturday to pay a premium to take over Matthew Stafford from the Detroit Lions, but at least three other teams were willing to do the same. Hours after reports indicated that several others were trying to trade for the 12-year veteran, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that at least three clubs actually made offers for Stafford – and each of them included a first-round draft pick, plus more. Those teams, per Rapoport: The Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers.
The reported trade offers go even further, as Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer wrote that the Panthers actually offered the No. 8 pick to acquire Stafford. Their proposal also came with a later choice. Washington offered the No. 19 overall pick with a third round. The Colts offered a pack of guitar picks, but never offered their first pick. The Bears and Jets were watching Stafford, but the Jets never made an offer. The New England Patriots were willing to offer a second round pick and a player, but Stafford did not want to play in New England.
In total, according to Rapoport, the Lions had more than six formal trade offers for Stafford, who was the # 1 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. But Chicago, Carolina and Denver were “among a handful of teams” outside of the Rams who made the most aggressive moves. for the experienced QB. The Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco 49ers and Washington Football Team were also in the mix, as NBC Sports’ Peter King previously reported, but may or may not offer first-round picks for Stafford.
While Stafford is now incarcerated in Los Angeles, where he represents a marked upgrade from fellow former No. 1 pick – and new Lions QB – Jared Goff, the fact that the Bears, Broncos and Panthers have all reportedly made legitimate attempts to speak to them about their respective needs for new signal callers.
Former Chicago first-rounder Mitchell Trubisky will hit free agency in March, and 2020 takeover Nick Foles looks destined for an expensive backup role. The Broncos have publicly backed the former second-tier Drew Lock, though his decline in 2020 has seemingly revived the hunt for a long-term answer. And the Panthers, despite signing Teddy Bridgewater on a lucrative three-year deal ahead of 2020, have openly hinted the search for a more reliable or better off-season replacement.