In this edition we will first feature some writing from future Full Press Lions writer Jake Brown (@Jake_Brown7 on Twitter). He gives a personal take on what losing Matthew Stafford means to him and briefly break down the details of the trade.
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Since 2009, Matthew Stafford has been much like a life raft on the Titanic. The whole ship was sinking, yet he managed to provide a slight glimmer of hope to a city that greatly needed it. Much is made of Drew Brees and what he meant to the city of New Orleans after they faced the devastation of hurricane Katrina. We often overlook what Matt Stafford meant to a city coming out of a time when they were very much down. In 2009, Detroit’s “Big 3” were getting bailouts and the football team was coming off of a season where they made history in the worst way possible, by going winless in 16 chances. Then, they drafted a slightly chubby, baby faced kid out of Georgia and there was a small shining beacon for the people of Michigan and Detroit.
Stafford didn’t waste much time in showing the fans of Detroit that the kid from Georgia had a little Detroit gritty in him. All culminating with the “Where were you?” moment when we all knew that this kid was “that dude”. After taking an incredible shot on what should have been the last game against Cleveland, Stafford was caught on a NFL Film’s mic’d up showing that he was the toughest player this league has ever seen at QB. There was something about him muttering “Get the f*** off me” to the trainer so he could go down and win a game for an otherwise garbage team that showed the people of Lions nation that he identified with that Eminem: “Lose Yourself” mindset.
Now, a new generation of Lions fans gets to experience yet again what the previous generation already has felt: another all-time great wasted by an organization that just can’t find a way to be anywhere near competent. Barry and Calvin might have left in a different way, but let’s all be honest with ourselves here. The injuries that Matthew Stafford sustained over his career very well should have forced him into retirement also. He’s gone, and it hurts. It’s like that first breakup in college. You know she deserves better, and it’s your fault you just sat around drinking beer and eating pizza. Wasting something good because you didn’t get off your butt and make a change. MAN, this hurts.
Only way to look now is forward, and let’s be honest none of us really have much to look back on. The Lions managed to get two future first rounders, a third rounder, and Jared Goff out of Stafford showing that they are now looking forward also.
Do I think the Lions won this trade?
Eh, sort of.
First, the Rams. They got a major upgrade at QB, in an offense that is one of the most innovative in the NFL. Stafford paired up with McVay’s offense and great outdoor weather should make defenses in the NFC West nervous. The Rams did what appears to be the new strategy in the NFL: Sell out over the short term and pray that you can get a Super Bowl out of it. They gave up a future for a dream roster over the next 2-3 years. They now have one of the top defenses in the NFL paired up with an offense that finally has a guy who can run the offense at full potential. The Rams showed they are worried about right now and the short window they have, and far less worried about what is to come over a ten year period.
The Lions, by contrast, have been worried about the next ten years for the past fifty. The success or failure of this trade relies solely upon whether or not management and ownership can actually do something with the draft picks. Since Matthew Stafford, they have not exactly nailed draft picks, in fact a large majority of them don’t even still play for the team. It will be interesting to see if they keep them all, or use them to improve their position this year hoping to snag another QB with potential.
Speaking of QB’s, the Lions need one. Jared Goff is only seen as a workable option because of Sean McVay, not because he is actually good. He’s essentially the polar opposite of Stafford. Little composure, falls apart under stress, Cali pretty boy. Not exactly things that the people of Detroit identify with. So who can the Lions get? That looks bleak too, which only enforces my worry that the Lions are going to mess this up. There aren’t many quarterbacks in this draft that can work with what Detroit currently has. Fields will most likely be gone when the Lions pick, and he isn’t the answer anyway. Zach Wilson might be there, but he hasn’t exactly proven himself against top talent. Mac Jones has the stats, but when was the last time you saw an Alabama quarterback succeed in the NFL? The best viable option then appears to be to stick it out with Jared Goff for 2 years, let his contract expire, and hope that a young QB option is available in the 2022 draft. I don’t think there is any worry about picking outside the top 5 next year anyway.
Next year is where these picks could be helpful should they choose to keep them. The Lions will more than likely pick between 1 and 5, again between 25-32, and again between 33-38. Three picks inside the top 40 can make them dangerous if they execute correctly. There’s just too much the Lions need right now to give up any draft capital this year to make an attempt at success in the 2021-22 season. Live through a year of struggle, secretly hope they lose a lot but show promise, then evaluate and get ready to do some damage in the NFC North.
So did the Lions get the better part of this trade?
I think so in the long run. I hate losing Stafford, but that was going to happen either way. The only options I even liked for a potential trade were dream situations that wouldn’t happen unless Bill O’Brien was still a general manager. Strap up Lions fans, here comes another couple of years of what we have come all too familiar with, bad football. There is hope, as there always is for Lions fans. If MCDC ( Motor City Dan Campbell) can inspire some young guys to play out of the minds, and if Brad Holmes can draft a few guys and make a few moves, we might just finally see a playoff win in Detroit. I wouldn’t hold your breath though.
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What to Make of Jared Goff?
Jared Goff isn’t a perfect quarterback. That’s not to say that Stafford was, but the Rams being ready to move on from him should tell you a lot. Although I haven’t seen a ton of live Jared Goff, he is at worst an average quarterback. Even the biggest “game manager” qb’s to make the Super Bowl had to at least some talent still. Although they haven’t had the same success since that Super Bowl season, the Rams are still a quality team.
Goff has a career record of 42-27. He is a two-time Pro-Bowler and is coming off a season where he completed 67 percent of his passes. For as flawed as he might be, he is still a former first overall pick with more accolades than any member of the Lions. That alone is why I would be beyond disappointed to take a quarterback at seven in the upcoming draft.
Jake is probably right that the Lions will need another quarterback. Goff likely isn’t the long-term answer for Detroit, but the team has far too many holes to use pick seven to draft a quarterback. If Jake and I are wrong, the Lions answered their quarterback issue without using draft capital and have an extra seven years before Goff is Stafford’s current age.
If the team determines that Goff isn’t the answer there are several potentially intriguing options available in next year’s draft. Right now, most experts would rank Sam Howell of North Carolina as the favorite to be the first quarterback selected in 2022. The options that pique my interest the most are Jayden Daniels of Arizona State and Desmond Ridder from Cincinnati. The mobility they bring would be very fun to see in an Anthony Lynn offense. The last time he called plays, his Tyrod Taylor-led Buffalo Bills lead the league in rushing. Both of those players have the kind of athleticism that could electrify the NFL.
Stafford’s Lasting Legacy in Detroit
Matthew Stafford has always been a polarizing player. It has nothing to do with his personality or anything off the field. It has to do with his standing among the great NFL quarterbacks. His stats scream Hall-of-Fame. His team success paired with those stats led to the nickname Stat Padford. This trade puts the pen back in his hand. Stafford now has all excuses made for or against him wiped clean. He has a fresh slate to write who he is on the football field. He will always be the GOAT in Detroit. Can he win over his doubters or will his LA story be simply a sequel to his Detroit career?
