There has been a lot of discussion this offseason about what the Detroit Lions are going to do at the quarterback position. After a second consecutive campaign of defeats riddled with injuries, there were rumors that the Lions would consider leaving their all-time main smuggler, Matthew Stafford.
Earlier this month, a report by Bernie Smilovitz of WDIV-TV indicated that the Lions were considering relocating Stafford and that commercial negotiations regarding the Detroit appellant had been underway “for a few weeks”. Shortly after, Lions general manager Bob Quinn refuted the report.
“100% false !!” Quinn wrote in a text message to Dave Birkett from Detroit Free Press.
On Friday, the original report was overturned, Michael Silver of the NFL Network reported that some general managers and coaches in the league thought that it was actually Stafford who wanted to leave Detroit. Stafford’s wife Kelly has been active on social media regarding the constant rumors that have circulated around her husband, and she has spoken about the alleged commercial demand.
Hours after the original report, Silver then said that he had spoken with Stafford’s agent, Tom Condon, who confirmed that Stafford doesn’t want to leave Detroit. The chat between coaches and general managers seems to have no ring of truth.
Stafford played in eight games last season and threw for 2,499 yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions. Sunday morning, before the Lions’ week 10 game against the Chicago Bears, it was revealed that Stafford had a back injury and would be inactive, which ended his 136-game winning streak. It ended up being closed for the rest of the season.
With the Lions seated with overall pick # 3 in the 2020 NFL Draft, Detroit may still be considering the idea of taking a quarterback in April. But it looks like Stafford will be on the list for next season.
