3 Underrated NFL storylines for the 2020 season
By Dustin Baker
Underrated 2020 NFL storyline: End of the line for Matthew Stafford in Detroit?
Let’s be clear: Matthew Stafford has the skill-set and resumé to stay in Detroit until he damn well pleases. Based on the Lions’ pre-Stafford history, the team should implore him to retire in the Motor City.
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But what will transpire if the Lions have another futile season? For starters, head coach Matt Patricia will be jettisoned (probably back to New England in some capacity). General manager Bob Quinn would likely join the termination festivities. At that moment should the Lions encounter it, the franchise likely enters rebuild territory.
Does it make sense for Stafford or the Lions that the 32-year-old signal-caller would be apart of a rebuild? No, it doesn’t. Detroit would have to swallow upward of $20 million in a cap hit to move on from Stafford, but that would not be too diabolical if the team is committed to a full rebuild–coach, general manager, quarterback, the works.
Now, the Lions could erase this nonsense and go out to win several football games. Yet, as of now, pundits and oddsmakers largely aren’t buying it. Sportbooks have the team projected to win 6.5 games, or in other words, perform as the 25th best team in the NFL.
This season may be the End of the Matts in Detroit. And then where does Stafford go with a probable five or so years left of high-level play?