Detroit Lions: Five teams that should trade for Matthew Stafford
By Bob Heyrman
4. Los Angeles Chargers
Recently Kelly Stafford posted on her Instagram account, “I could live in Los Angeles if Detroit is done with us.”
The Chargers are parting ways with a potential future Hall of Famer Philip Rivers, leaving a gaping hole for the franchise at the quarterback position. Matthew Stafford would fit in nicely with the Chargers who are currently slated to start Tyrod Taylor next season unless a move is made.
Although Tyrod Taylor has the ability to win football games and believe it or not could have been more effective last season over a struggling Rivers. Taylor, by all accounts, is tremendous in the film room, an excellent teammate, and a top-notch backup quarterback in this league.
The Chargers who are scheduled to pick sixth in the NFL draft may have to settle with taking quarterback Justin Herbert who is expected to be the third QB off the board. It would benefit Herbert greatly to sit behind a starter for a year, and who better than Stafford? Also, if the Chargers decided to keep three QB’s rostered this season, which isn’t a regular thing in today’s NFL, he’d be able to learn first hand from Taylor’s analysis on the sideline while Stafford goes to work.
It goes without being said, to get Stafford from the Lions that sixth overall pick the Chargers may have to forfeit that sixth overall pick in the deal.
The Chargers have an underrated playmaking, a dual-threat runner in the backfield in Austin Ekeler. Although it’s unlikely they have still have the potential to re-sign Melvin Gordon. Keenan Allen is a very underrated wide-out, along with Mike Williams, who has yet to reach his full potential.
When I think of Mike Williams, I can’t help but wonder how good he’d be playing with a strong-armed, downfield thrower. Rivers has lacked arm strength over the last couple of seasons; it’s an aging quarterbacks’ kryptonite. Stafford would bring a dynamic aspect to the Chargers and instantly turn them into a contender.
He’d feel right at home playing behind a bad offensive line, but the skill-set at the playmaking positions will help make up for that. Also, the Chargers defense is one of the best in the league, so unlike with the Detroit Lions, Stafford won’t be forced to do it all himself.