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 workforce round Goff himself.
Now there’s a probability that Stafford can be on the transfer once more. The Rams have given his brokers permission to talk with different groups concerning 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} workforce makes a proposal that’s arduous for each the participant, and the Rams, to disregard.
Listed here are some groups that may just do that.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Final 12 months the Pittsburgh Steelers made a playoff run with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields underneath heart.
However with each quarterbacks set to hit free company, Pittsburgh could look to go in a very totally different course 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 select twenty first within the first spherical of the 2025 NFL Draft, they’re seemingly 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 interesting place this offseason.
Tennessee holds the highest decide within the 2025 NFL Draft, however many imagine the Titans might take a look at a place apart from quarterback with that choice, and kick the QB choice to 2026. That will carry gamers like go rusher Abdul Carter — who Daniel Jeremiah lately mocked to the Titans with the first-overall decide — and Travis Hunter Jr. into the combo.
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 will be attractive for certain.
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 decide within the upcoming NFL Draft, they usually 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 doubtlessly dip into the QB class subsequent 12 months.
However much like Pittsburgh, the Jets have expertise on their roster and could be fascinated by swinging for Stafford now. New York’s cap house place shouldn’t be as robust as Pittsburgh’s — the Jets have simply over $23 million in keeping 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 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 probability 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 workforce 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 equivalent to Adam Schefter instantly dismissed.
“[T]right here is not any method in hell that the Giants are giving up the third total decide for Matthew Stafford,” mentioned Schefter.
The place there’s smoke there’s usually fireplace. New York won’t half with the third-overall choice for a 37-year-old quarterback, however they could make a special provide to the Rams.
Las Vegas Raiders
This may come all the way down to how lengthy Pete Carroll needs 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, possibly the Raiders search for the instant affect Stafford would supply.
Indianapolis Colts
Shortly after the 2024 NFL season ended Indianapolis Colts common 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 quick attributable to a shoulder damage, and he was benched in favor of Joe Flacco this previous season.
“We’ve bought to have competitors on the place,” Ballard mentioned after the season. “For one, for the truth that competitors makes all people 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 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 select up the telephone.
