© Raj Mehta | 2021 Jan 3
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford may have a new home in the coming days. That home sounds like it could be San Francisco.
New Lions head coach Dan Campbell told the Detroit Free Press that trade talks involving the quarterback have become “hot and heavy” in recent days, and that they have “quite a few offers” on the table.
“It’s pretty hot and heavy right now,” Campbell said. “We’ve got quite a few offers and so it looks like we’ve got some trade partners, we’re just trying to work out the best scenario and see what’s best for us, ultimately.
Though nearly a third the league has reportedly reached out to the Lions, not all of those inquires have been from “realistic suitors.” The 49ers are believed to be in the realistic group, along with the Indianapolis Colts and Washington.
The Free Press reports that based on the extreme league-wide interest, the Lions could receive a first-round pick in exchange for Stafford. The 49ers have the No. 12 overall pick in the upcoming draft. It’s unclear if the Lions would be content with just a first-rounder from the Niners, or if they would want to work out a deal that also involves a swap for Jimmy Garoppolo. Campbell made it clear that the Lions are not exclusively interested in replacing Stafford with a young quarterback.
“(If) you’re not able to get a young quarterback, how do you get a quarterback that helps you continue to grow as a team? That’s not somebody you’re just spinning your wheels with.