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CBS Sports 5 teams most likely to trade for Matt Stafford. Guess who isn't listed?

Zod

By Zod,
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Zod Grand Master

Zod

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1. Washington Football Team

As CBS Sports' R.J. White noted, new Washington general manager Martin Mayhew was the general manager in Detroit when Stafford was drafted with the top pick back in 2009. It proved to be a great decision and the University of Georgia prospect set multiple franchise and NFL records during his tenure with the Lions. Washington does have Alex Smith, who pulled off a remarkable NFL comeback this past season, but he struggled to stay healthy due to other nagging injuries. Washington had to start journeyman Taylor Heinicke in its postseason matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Washington has a star wide receiver in Terry McLaurin, a talented 2020 rookie running back in Antonio Gibson and an elite defense which is highlighted by a defensive line made up of all first-round picks. Even with a healthy Smith, Washington could stand to upgrade at the quarterback position, and it's a move that could potentially make them a legitimate contender. Washington should call and see if the Lions would accept the No. 19 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. 

2. Indianapolis Colts

Philip Rivers recently announced his retirement, so, naturally, the Colts are also in the market for a new starting quarterback. Like Washington, this is a team that appears to be just a quarterback away, but they are much closer to being a legitimate contender. Rivers led the Colts to an 11-5 record this past season -- which was their best campaign since 2014. This is a franchise that has had bad luck with the quarterback position since they parted ways with Peyton Manning. Andrew Luck decided to hang up the cleats early, Jacoby Brissett didn't make the most of his opportunity as a starter and then Rivers gave Indy just one season. Stafford is under contract for two more years and appears to have a lot left. He also still has elite arm talent and knows how to spread the ball around to multiple talented wideouts, so he could fit right in with the likes of T.Y. Hilton and Michael Pittman Jr. 

3. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have Jimmy Garoppolo under contract for at least another two seasons, but that doesn't mean San Francisco won't move on from him this offseason. Last month, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about Garoppolo, and he didn't sound extremely confident about his franchise quarterback. 

"You can't say anything with certainty," the coach told reporters, per ESPN's Nick Wagoner. "You don't sit here and make promises on anything. When you build a football team, it's your job to put the best team together year in and year out."

Shanahan did open his dialogue by saying he believes Garoppolo "is going to be our quarterback next year," but his responses to questions concerning his quarterback certainly sounded like he was open to a change. It's hard to believe anything you hear from coaches -- remember when the Arizona Cardinals said that Josh Rosen was their quarterback before drafting Kyler Murray? The 49ers are just one year removed from the Super Bowl, but they failed to make the playoffs this past season. With a solid defense and then versatile weapons like Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle, this team would instantly get back to contending if they upgraded at the quarterback position. 

4. New England Patriots

Former Lions head coach Matt Patricia is returning to the Patriots so maybe he could put in a good word with Bill Belichick concerning Stafford. The Cam Newton experiment did not work and the Patriots are again looking for a new quarterback to fill the void Tom Brady left. It's true that New England has plenty of holes to fill this offseason on the offensive side of the ball, but the quarterback issue is clearly the most important. Stafford's contract is affordable, the Patriots have the No. 15 overall pick and Belichick obviously has some success when it comes to working with a veteran signal-caller and developing a system around him that works. 

5. Denver Broncos

After going 4-1 as a rookie, Drew Lock took a step backward in his second season. He won just four of 13 starts, and he completed 57.3 percent of his passes for 2,933 yards, 16 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Despite having two capable running backs and plenty of weapons to throw the ball to, Lock's inconsistencies held back the offense in multiple games this past season, which could lead one to believe that someone else will be starting under center in 2021. John Elway is no longer calling the shots in Denver, but he's still in the front office and could be a fan of a big-armed veteran who fits the prototypical build. The Broncos could also be considered a team that is a quarterback away from finding success, as they have young weapons in Tim Patrick, Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler and then tight end Noah Fant. Having Lock learn behind a veteran for a year or two would also be beneficial. 

 

 

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Sgt Schultz Grand Master

Sgt Schultz

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Just now, LinvilleGorge said:

Yeah, it's not that I don't think that Stafford wouldn't be a huge upgrade for us. He would. It's just that I think another team that is in a more "win now" mentality will (and should) value him more than we will.

I think you nailed it.  Keep in mind this type of article is largely speculation.  A team that just completed year 1 of a multi-year rebuild is probably not in the market for a 30+ year old QB, and vice versa. 

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SetfreexX Mentor

SetfreexX

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IND - IMO makes the most sense, fresh off play off with the roster to supplement an above avg Quarterback with a big arm. 

Another piece is, it would be hard to believe DET would consider a trade to a team in the NFC. I do not believe Stafford has a ''no trade clause'' like DeShaun so he can't hand pick a destination. 

DEN - also makes a lot of sense since they do not have a lot invested in the QB position as Lock was a 2nd rounder and his cap number at the position is team friendly. 

NE - I have a hard time seeing this, that roster is old, and I would think a re-tool / re-build is in order, they were missing A LOT of pieces due to COVID opt outs, so could be interesting. 

 

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ENCPantherfan2 Collaborator

ENCPantherfan2

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To me WFT makes the most sense. They're literally a QB away from being a SB team. That defense is SB ready and with Rivera coaching it, even if they do lose some players I don't see much of a drop off. the offense has good tools in Gibson and Scary Terry and the line is good overall. Maybe if they can also invest in another WR (Curtis Samuel makes a lot of sense here) they will be good. 

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Raleigh PF Rising Star

Raleigh PF

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Also not listed here - Miami.

Sure, Miami could use their #3 overall pick on a young QB, but that means giving up on Tua and I just don't think that's reasonable, yet. Tua needs time.

If Miami is smart, they trade out of the #3 spot and use those picks to build a better team around Tua. Bear in mind, Miami has two 2nd round picks this year and they could be used to trade for Stafford. If that happens, they get a QB on a reasonable deal who can be the bridge for Tua for a year or two. Miami was already good last year, this would be the final piece needed to get them over the top.

And, while their trading away their #3 overall pick, might I suggest a certain Carolina team that they could trade that to...

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