In an agreement that the two sides have negotiated and mutually agreed upon, quarterback Matthew Stafford is not expected to return to the Lions this off-season, while Detroit is listening to trade offers starting this week, league sources told ESPN on Saturday.
With new general manager Brad Holmes and new head coach Dan Campbell in place, the Lions will soon begin trade talks that will most likely result in a new quarterback for the team – largely influenced by what and who Detroit will get in exchange for Stafford, sources told ESPN.
The lions are expected to get at least a first round, competition sources said.
Stafford approached the Lions about the possibility that a transaction would be in the best interests of both parties, but the franchise advanced that discussion until it completed the coach and GM searches, a source told ESPN’s Michael Rothstein.
Before hiring, Holmes and Campbell were told that trading in Stafford could be a possibility, sources told ESPN. Stafford then had a call with senior players – including Campbell and Holmes – late this week and the decision was made to pursue a transaction, a source told Rothstein.
Stafford, who hasn’t had a playoff win in his 12 seasons with the Lions, is expected to make a handsome return for several reasons. He turns 33 in March, has two years to go on a team-friendly contract that will pay him a total of $ 43 million – $ 20 million this year and $ 23 million next year – and he’s still one of the most talented quarterbacks in the world. competition.
He has started 165 games for the Lions since reaching No. 1 in the 2009 draft, 62.6% of his passes for 45,109 yards, 282 touchdowns and 144 interceptions. He led 38 game-winning drives during his career and 31 comebacks in the fourth quarter, making him one of the better comeback quarterbacks in the history of the league.
He is ranked eighth of all time in game-winning drives and seventh in fourth-quarter comebacks.
Stafford will be the latest in a long line of quarterbacks expected to be available off-season.
In addition to having Stafford on the trading bloc, Houston could be forced into the same situation as Deshaun Watson, and Philadelphia could decide to move on from Carson Wentz.
Indianapolis will have to replace recently retired Philip Rivers, and New Orleans, Pittsburgh and Washington may face similar situations with Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger and Alex Smith respectively.
Carolina will explore options on the position, and there are ongoing quarterback questions with teams like Denver, Chicago and San Francisco.
The free agent class is scheduled for quarterbacks Dak Prescott, Andy Dalton, Cam Newton, Mitchell Trubisky, Jameis Winston, Tyrod Taylor, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jacoby Brissett, Colt McCoy and Nate Sudfeld.
Stafford is from Texas and could be interested in being traded at home, but there is expected to be significant interest in Detroit’s longtime quarterback, sources told ESPN.
What Detroit can get in return will help determine the direction the franchise is heading in trying to replace Stafford.
The two parties are expected to part ways on good terms, with both sides acknowledging that it is best to go in a different direction, sources told ESPN.
Stafford spent 12 seasons with the Lions and failed to win a playoff game in three trips – he joined a list with Jim Hart, Kenny Anderson and Archie Manning as the only quarterbacks to have 10 seasons in one city without a playoff win.