In an agreement that the two sides have discussed and agreed on with each other, quarterback Matthew Stafford will not return to the Lions this season, with Detroit listening to the commercial offers starting this week, league sources said on Saturday. ESPN.
With new general manager Brad Holmes and new head coach Dan Campbell now in place, the Lions will soon begin commercial discussions that will most likely result in a new fullback for the team – heavily influenced by what and who will receive Detroit. In exchange for Stafford, sources told ESPN.
The Lions are expected to receive at least one first-round pick, league sources said.
Stafford approached the Lions about the possibility of a transaction being in the interest of both parties, but the franchise presented the discussion until the search for a coach and GM was completed, a source told ESPN’s Michael Rothstein.
Holmes and Campbell were informed before they were hired that trading with Stafford could be a possibility, sources told ESPN. Stafford then had a call with the highest – including Campbell and Holmes – later this week and the decision was made to continue a transaction, a source told Rothstein.
Stafford, who did not have a playoff victory in the 12 seasons with the Lions, are expected to bring back a beautiful return for several reasons. He turns 33 in March, has two more years left for a friendly contract with the team that will pay him $ 43 million – $ 20 million this year and $ 23 million next year – and he is still one of the most talented defenders. League.
He has started 165 games for the Lions since finishing No. 1 in the 2009 draft, completing 62.6% of his passes for 45,109 yards, 282 touchdowns and 144 interceptions. He drove 38 game-winning drives during his career and 31 comebacks in the fourth quarter – making him one of the best comeback defenders in league history.
He is tied for eighth all-time in game-winning matches and seventh in quarter-final comebacks.
Stafford becomes the latest in a long line of defenders expected to be available this season.
In addition to Stafford being in the trading block, Houston could be forced into the same situation as Deshaun Watson, and Philadelphia could decide to move to Carson Wentz.
Indianapolis will have to replace the recently retired Philip Rivers, and New Orleans, Pittsburgh and Washington could face similar situations with Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger and Alex Smith, respectively.
Carolina will explore her options in this position and there are persistent questions with defenders with teams like Denver, Chicago and San Francisco.
The free agent class is scheduled to include defenders 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 may be interested in being moved home, but is expected to have a significant interest in the longtime Detroit defender, sources told ESPN.
What Detroit can achieve will help define the direction the franchise is taking in trying to replace Stafford.
The two sides are expected to break up in good conditions, with both sides acknowledging that it is better to go in a different direction, sources told ESPN.
Stafford spent 12 seasons with the Lions, failing to win a three-game playoff game – joining a roster that includes Jim Hart, Kenny Anderson and Archie Manning as the only defenders to spend 10 seasons in a city without a win. in the playoffs.