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 group round Goff himself.
Now there’s a likelihood that Stafford might 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 idea is that this transfer will permit Stafford and the Rams to gauge a greater understanding of his contract worth.
Nonetheless, there’s a likelihood {that a} group makes a proposal that’s onerous for each the participant, and the Rams, to disregard.
Listed here are some groups which may do exactly that.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Final yr the Pittsburgh Steelers made a playoff run with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields below middle.
However with each quarterbacks set to hit free company, Pittsburgh could look to go in a very totally different route on offense. The Steelers have a playoff-caliber protection, and a gifted dashing 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 doubtless out of vary for the highest quarterbacks on this draft class. Add within the cap house Pittsburgh is working with, and you’ve got room to make such a proposal to the Rams.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans are in an enchanting place this offseason.
Tennessee holds the highest choose within the 2025 NFL Draft, however many consider the Titans might have a look at a place aside from quarterback with that choice, and kick the QB choice to 2026. That might carry gamers like move rusher Abdul Carter — who Daniel Jeremiah just lately mocked to the Titans with the first-overall choose — 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 attractive for positive.
New York Jets
Having made the choice to maneuver on from Aaron Rodgers, the New York Jets are again within the QB recreation this offseason.
The Jets maintain the seventh choose 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 may 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 considering swinging for Stafford now. New York’s cap house place just isn’t as robust as Pittsburgh’s — the Jets have simply over $23 million in line with Over the Cap — however taking part in within the New York Metropolis market does have its perks.
New York Giants
Talking of which …
The New York Giants have a quarterback choice 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 likelihood their most popular possibility falls to them at that spot.
Nonetheless, when rumors of a possible Stafford commerce first emerged, the Giants have been the group linked with such a transfer. Colin Cowherd floated the concept of the Giants buying and selling that third choose to the Rams earlier this month, a hypothetical that insiders corresponding to Adam Schefter instantly dismissed.
“[T]right here isn’t any means in hell that the Giants are giving up the third total choose for Matthew Stafford,” stated Schefter.
The place there’s smoke there’s usually fireplace. New York may not half with the third-overall choice for a 37-year-old quarterback, however they may make a special supply to the Rams.
Las Vegas Raiders
This may come right 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 house 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 impression Stafford would offer.
Indianapolis Colts
Shortly after the 2024 NFL season ended Indianapolis Colts normal 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 dwell as much as the hype popping out of school. Richardson’s rookie marketing campaign was reduce brief on account 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 stated 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 carry who we predict is the very best man we are able to herald,” Ballard stated 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 count on Ballard to choose up the cellphone.