Matt Patricia Responds To Lions Trading Matthew Stafford
Matt Patricia responded to the Detroit Lions possible trading Matthew Stafford while speaking to the media this past week.
Over the past couple of months, ever since Detroit’s season ended in unceremonious fashion, talk has lingered about what the future holds for Stafford.
On one hand, it would make sense for the Lions to retain him. When healthy, he is still one of the league’s more reliable quarterback options. It is a known fact that Patricia only has one year left to save his job, so common sense says he would prefer a proven option running his offense.
On the other hand, Detroit has a top-tier No. 3 overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. LSU’s Joe Burrow will likely be off the board by the time the Lions are up to bat, but Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoia and Oregon’s Justin Herbert will still be there.
This past season, Stafford missed eight outings as a result of a back injury. That is the bad – he is injury prone. The good, however, is that when he is healthy the 32-year-old is very good.
Last season, he recorded 2,499 yards and 19 touchdowns despite being limited in action.
Theoretically, the Lions have Stafford locked up for three more years. But that has not stopped rumors from running rampant.
This week, Patricia came out and addressed the Stafford trade talk. He decided to put it to bed once and for all.
.@Lions HC Matt Patricia on @gmfb @nflnetwork on the reports of the team possibly trading QB Matthew Stafford: “It’s comical. Not interested in doing anything with that. It’s not even a conversation. He’s one of the reasons I came to Detroit.” #ScoutingCombine
— Will Selva (@WillSelvaTV) February 27, 2020
“It’s comical,” he said of the trade gossip.
“Not interested in doing anything with that. It’s not even a conversation. He’s one of the reasons I came to Detroit.”
Over the course of 31 outings with Detroit Patricia has amassed a record 9-22. If he does not step it up and put a big year together in 2020, he is almost certainly out. He needs Stafford to return to Detroit as much as anyone.
Beyond that, it does not make financial sense for the Lions to get rid of their veteran quarterback since they would still be on the hook for $30 million in dead money if he is released or traded.
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A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
