Matthew Stafford fell flat on Thanksgiving, throwing a pair of interceptions that cost the Lions the game. The loss dropped the Lions to 4-7 on the year, and more or less eliminated them from the NFC playoff picture. It naturally sparked a new wave of questions about Stafford’s future with the team, and has led many to speculate that he might not be the longterm solution in Detroit. Due to the “culture change” the Lions are implementing, it’s possible Detroit’s transformation “eventually will result in a new quarterback”, according to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com.
While Florio does note that Stafford’s massive contract will make it hard to move on from him before 2020 at the earliest, he does float a trade as a possibility. While Stafford hasn’t been great this year, he’d be an upgrade for many teams. The most likely course of action still remains that the Lions stick with Stafford and possibly make a change at offensive coordinator with Jim Bob Cooter if the offense continues to struggle.
Here’s more from around the league:
- Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette was ejected from the team’s loss to the Bills today as part of a brawl that broke out between the two sides, and there was initially some concern he might be suspended. However, Fournette is not expected to be suspended, a source told Florio. The Jaguars’ season is quickly circling the drain at 3-8, and they can’t afford to be without Fournette for any period of time right now.
- Mitchell Trubisky missed the Bears’ win over the Lions on Thanksgiving, and while the initial thought was that he could’ve played had it been a Sunday game, it’s no guarantee he’s back for Week 13. “It is not certain he will [return] and missing one more game is possible”, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN (Twitter link). Chase Daniel was just as good as Trubisky has been in his one start, so it’s not too much of a downgrade for Chicago’s offense. Schefter does add that if Trubisky is forced to sit out against the Giants, he’ll return the next week at the latest.
- In case you missed it, the Texans are discussing a contract extension with Tyrann Mathieu.
“Chase Daniel was just as good as Trubisky has been in his one start, so it’s not too much of a downgrade for Chicago’s offense.” Lol
Ridiculous comment.
I agree. Chase looked more like a game manager in a close game against a bad Lions team. A healthy Mitch and the Bears blow them out. I hope the 10 days off gets his shoulder right.
Huh?
Ridiculous comment.
Well, he didn’t throw any interceptions, which Trubisky can rarely say, but the mobility is where the big difference lies.
Trade Stanford to the Cowboys for Prescott.
I don’t know, a whole college for one player seems like an overpay to me.
Lol
As long as the Tree come with it.
Trade Trubisky to the Lions obviously since DaBears have Chase! Hahahahaha
The Cowboys will have to match the Broncos offer of Elway for Stanford.
Florio is a f’ing moron. Stafford isnt going anywhere
I used to think of him as a pretty decent source but he’s had a few questionable reports lately and it’s harder for me to believe him at this point
The rest of the NFC North is thankful of that.
Sounds like a load. Without Stafford the Lions would not win any games. He is the only reason they have any competitive games
The Lions are implementing a “culture change”. Was anyone aware that they even had a culture?
Losing
I could see Cooter getting let go at season’s end. Look for an OC with some past Patriots ties either a first time OC from their current position coaches (Chad O’Shea) or maybe Charlie Weiss. Note, I didn’t say he was a smart choice. Give a new OC a couple seasons and it gets to where Stafford is only a $10MM dead money cap hit in 2021.