In January of 2021 a commerce involving Matthew Stafford rocked the NFL panorama.
May that occur once more?
That winter the Detroit Lions parted methods with Stafford, sending him to the Los Angeles Rams in a blockbuster deal that included then-Rams beginning quarterback Jared Goff. One might make the case that the deal labored out for each groups: The Rams went on to win a Tremendous Bowl with Stafford, and the Lions turned the draft picks acquired within the deal into gamers like Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam Laporta, and constructed a division-winning staff round Goff himself.
Now there’s a probability that Stafford shall be on the transfer once more. The Rams have given his brokers permission to talk with different groups relating to his potential commerce worth. To be clear this isn’t a scenario the place he has requested a commerce, and whereas the assumption is that this transfer will enable Stafford and the Rams to gauge a greater understanding of his contract worth.
Nonetheless, there’s a probability {that a} staff makes a suggestion that’s exhausting for each the participant, and the Rams, to disregard.
Listed here are some groups that may do exactly that.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Final yr the Pittsburgh Steelers made a playoff run with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields underneath middle.
However with each quarterbacks set to hit free company, Pittsburgh could look to go in a totally completely different path on offense. The Steelers have a playoff-caliber protection, and a gifted speeding assault that will surely profit from having a quarterback of Stafford’s caliber stressing opposing defenses.
Plus, with the Steelers set to choose twenty first within the first spherical of the 2025 NFL Draft, they’re probably out of vary for the highest quarterbacks on this draft class. Add within the cap area Pittsburgh is working with, and you’ve got room to make such a suggestion to the Rams.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans are in an enchanting place this offseason.
Tennessee holds the highest decide within the 2025 NFL Draft, however many consider the Titans might take a look at a place apart from quarterback with that choice, and kick the QB determination to 2026. That might deliver gamers like cross rusher Abdul Carter — who Daniel Jeremiah just lately mocked to the Titans with the first-overall decide — and Travis Hunter Jr. into the combination.
But when the Titans had an opportunity to solidify the QB spot with a Stafford commerce, with out giving up the first-overall choice? That might be engaging for certain.
New York Jets
Having made the choice to maneuver on from Aaron Rodgers, the New York Jets are again within the QB sport this offseason.
The Jets maintain the seventh decide within the upcoming NFL Draft, and so they might see Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward fall to them in that spot, relying on how the remainder of the NFL offseason unfolds. They might additionally wait on quarterback till Day 2 or Day 3 of this upcoming draft, see who emerges from Tyrod Taylor/Jordan Travis/Rookie QB to be named later, and probably dip into the QB class subsequent yr.
However much like Pittsburgh, the Jets have expertise on their roster and is perhaps taken with swinging for Stafford now. New York’s cap area place will not be as robust as Pittsburgh’s — the Jets have simply over $23 million in line with Over the Cap — however enjoying within the New York Metropolis market does have its perks.
New York Giants
Talking of which …
The New York Giants have a quarterback determination of their very own to make. The Giants have been linked with draft quarterbacks all through this offseason, and sitting third within the 2025 NFL Draft there’s a probability their most popular possibility falls to them at that spot.
Nonetheless, when rumors of a possible Stafford commerce first emerged, the Giants had been the staff linked with such a transfer. Colin Cowherd floated the thought of the Giants buying and selling that third decide to the Rams earlier this month, a hypothetical that insiders akin to Adam Schefter instantly dismissed.
“[T]right here is not any means in hell that the Giants are giving up the third general decide for Matthew Stafford,” mentioned Schefter.
The place there may be smoke there may be usually hearth. New York may not half with the third-overall choice for a 37-year-old quarterback, however they may make a distinct provide to the Rams.
Las Vegas Raiders
This would possibly come all the way down to how lengthy Pete Carroll desires to attend to show issues round in Las Vegas.
The Raiders want a quarterback, have the second-most cap area within the NFL (behind solely the New England Patriots) and sit sixth within the first spherical of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Maybe they take a run at Shedeur Sanders — and minority proprietor Tom Brady has spoken extremely of Sanders’ traits on the place — or if the chance introduced itself, perhaps the Raiders search for the instant affect Stafford would supply.
Indianapolis Colts
Shortly after the 2024 NFL season ended Indianapolis Colts basic supervisor Chris Ballard met with the media, and indicated that “competitors” was wanted on the quarterback place.
Indianapolis drafted Anthony Richardson with the fourth-overall choice within the 2023 NFL Draft, however the Florida product has but to stay as much as the hype popping out of school. Richardson’s rookie marketing campaign was reduce brief as a result of a shoulder damage, and he was benched in favor of Joe Flacco this previous season.
“We’ve received to have competitors on the place,” Ballard mentioned after the season. “For one, for the truth that competitors makes everyone higher, after which two, [Richardson has] not confirmed he can play 17 video games.
“We’ll deliver who we predict is one of the best man we will herald,” Ballard mentioned again in January. “I’m not prepared to focus on the place it’ll come from or who it’ll be or what age they’ll be.”
With Stafford allowed to gauge his worth on the commerce market, one would anticipate Ballard to choose up the cellphone.
