Matthew Stafford was not particularly good in 2018, as he threw for fewer than 4,000 yards for the first time since an injury-shortened 2010 campaign, and he tossed just 21 TDs against 11 interceptions. His pedestrian numbers, when coupled with the Lions’ disappointing 2018 season, have led to plenty of speculation that Detroit could be looking for a new QB sooner rather than later.
As we detailed in late December, Stafford’s contract situation makes cutting or trading him this offseason a dubious proposition at best. But he did just turn 31, and while he has put together some nice statistical seasons, he has not guided his team to a single playoff win in his 10 seasons under center. The blame for the Lions’ playoff shortcomings by no means falls squarely on Stafford’s shoulders, but as a quarterback with a $135MM contract to his name, he is subject to some scrutiny.
The odds are that the Lions will retain Stafford for at least one more season, especially now that they have a new offensive coordinator in Darrell Bevell. But GM Bob Quinn said yesterday that he is open to drafting a quarterback with the No. 8 overall selection in this year’s draft, even if Stafford will almost certainly be on the roster at that point (via Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com).
Quinn said, “We’ll consider any position in the draft at any point in time, whether it’s the eighth overall pick or we have multiple picks later in the draft. We’re in a position now with the eighth overall pick that the whole draft board is really wide open to us. We’re not going to really eliminate any prospects.”
Of course, no general manager is going to explicitly rule out a position or player in advance of the draft and needlessly give away a competitive advantage, no matter how slight. On the other hand, it is interesting that Quinn’s statement comes just a few weeks after Quinn said Stafford was, and would continue to be, the Lions’ quarterback.
Although this year’s class of rookie QBs is considered to be weak relative to the 2018 group, it did get an injection of intriguing talent yesterday, when Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray announced his intention to pursue an NFL career. Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins is viewed as 2019’s other top collegiate signal-caller, and either player could be available when the Lions are on the clock in the first round. Haskins and Murray have decidedly different styles than Stafford, but both would benefit from his tutelage and from serving as his backup in 2019.
His whole career is a joke
Has multiple playoff appearances with Detroit. Hardly a “joke”.
2.
Technically….that’s “multiple”….
He has actually made it 3 times
2011-12 Season-Lions played the Saints in the Wild Card game
2014-15 Season-Lions played the Cowboys in the Wild Card Game
2015-16 Season- Lions played the Seahawks in the Wild Card Game
If you’re the lions tho….I don’t understand wasting so much cap space on one player when your team sucks and doesn’t show any sign of improving to elite level during MS career.
They should cut bait…or trade….and move on. Why spend 30 million a season on a QB to go 6-10? Least that way you might be able to get a draft pick for him.
Nope just 2, I don’t count at Seattle. The team actually has to show up to count it as a game.
Aka you forgot they actually made it 3 times and u came up with that to defend your take
Never won a playoff game and never been to the the super bowl, and he is mediocre, so with all those facts he’s as bad as the biggest draft bust( Ryan leaf)
Philip Rivers has never been to the super bowl, is he trash? What about Andrew Luck? He’s had a trash team around him for his entire career.
Playoff appearances define a career? Then I guess Mark Sanchez is no longer a joke considering how far he went.
As a lifelong Lions fan, Stafford is crap!!!
Did he win a super bowl
No, but neither did Dan Marino or Dan Fouts.
No but joe Flacco has, are you saying Flacco is better?
Than Stafford? Over the course of their careers, a very slight maybe. Over the course of the last five or six years, hell no.
If you think Staffords carrer is a joke you dont know anything about football. He’s not a hall of famer or elite QB, but he has had an extremely solid career. Far better than most players in this league
You are an idiot
Haskins is only qb rated as a first rounder. The only other QBs I would consider is 4 round or later if the kid out of buffalo is still there. Stafford is qb 2 more seasons sadly. Next year is the better year to draft a qb and stash him on bench behind stafford then move stafford after that year.
Stafford is good QB, but that contract is an albatross. How can the Lions get and keep good players on the team when Stafford hogs up much of the money.
Well, it would help if they drafted well, especially at running back (oh, wait, Kerryon Johnson looks promising). And they did sign Ricky Wagner and Damon Harrison over the last two years, which should help both lines long-term. Not sure what needs they should look to fill in FA vs. the draft, though.
ah yes, the megatron effect.
They need more than a QB right now. But, if a gem falls to them, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth…
Stafford has the 1st most passing yards and 3rd most TDs of any quarterback through the age 30. People need to get off his back and the lions need to keep him moving forward
Bring on Kyler Murray baby! I doubt he will be there at 8 and I doubt the Lions will move up to get him with all this defensive talent this year. I’m actually quite pissed Quinn said this and how the press made a bigger deal about possibly drafting a QB. Now the world knows this.
Almost all mock drafts have Murray being drafted after the lions pick. Too many better players than Murray for him to be a top 10 pick
Murray will be in the top 10 and will be the 1st QB off the board. Haskins is terrible and after that nobody.
You only don’t like Haskins because your a Michigan fan. And I pretty sure Haskins tore apart Michigan’s “best defenses in the nation” Haskins also broke the all time TD and passing yards record in the big ten so stop being so biased and realize he is the next big thing
He is as bad as Brady Quinn
Lions probably look better if they could actually put a good team around him
This is the year to do it for sure
since when have the lions been relevant?
The most relevant the lions have been over the franchises history is with Matthew Stafford at QB……. by far. He had the most playoff appearances by any lions QB and he is going to all All the passing records in franchise history if not the nfl. Because through the age 30 season he has the most passing yards and 3rd most touchdowns of any QB ever
Um, no. I like Matthew Stafford, I really do, and he may well be the second best QB in the history of the franchise, but Bobby Layne led the Lions to three NFL championships (in four tries) between 1952 and 1957, which is clearly the Golden Age of the franchise.
I don’t think he’s a joke – that’s managements job. I’m not a fan of his, but they’ve never been able to string along a solid support group around him at one time. He’s not elite nor does he earn that contact he has, but I’m sure if you put the right team around him he’d succeed. Heck, Dilfer did with the Ravens, I’m sure Stafford could as well.
The article cites an ESPN.com report stating GM Bob Quinn said they are open to drafting QB with the 8th overall pick. Then they post an actual quote from Quinn & nowhere in his quote does he say a QB, which is what the ESPN story claims. Even if he says he could be open to taking a QB in the 1st round, it could be to light a fire under Stafford, or simply be fodder if he is baiting another team to trade up for Detroit’s pick. Lots of smoke & mirrors leading up to the draft.
Wow no one suggested trading him for…Tannehill hand a second round pick….
Funny it’s easy to crap on Stafford but I would not be surprised if in 2 years he, Rosen or Carr are the patriots starting QB. T
Zero chance of Detroit drafting a QB in the first round unless he can do double duty as a pass rusher.
This is “click bait” and an attempt by Quinn to see who is interested in trading up in the draft to give the Lions more picks in 19 and/or 20.
Dead Cap Money makes moving Stafford nearly unmanageable from a Cap perspective. A pre June 1 trade has $30MM in 2019, $20MM in 2020 and $10MM in 2021. However, a post June 1 trade would only result in $10MM dead money in each of 2019,2020 and 2021.
So if you’re willing to have $10MM hits for 3 seasons, where is he going and what are you getting? Redskins, Giants, Buccaneers, Broncos, Dolphins, Jaguars are possibilities with Chargers, Saints and Raiders as lesser possibilities.
Take the Broncos off that list.
Send him home and turn Dak into a backup.
Now, wouldn’t J.R., … er J.J., just luv that!