Detroit Lions News: 3 Holiday wishes heading into 2021

A clear-cut decision regarding Matthew Stafford.

As the Detroit Lions near yet another regime change, quarterback Matthew Stafford’s future remains in limbo.

Will the next Lions general manager, head coach decide to retain the soon to be 33-year old quarterback or decide to go in a different direction hoping to build around a rookie quarterback?  There are certainly benefits from drafting a young quarterback on a rookie salary.

There are plenty of examples throughout the league—the most obvious being Patrick Mahomes.  After sitting one season behind Alex Smith, the Chiefs took off with Mahomes under center. Being on a rookie deal allowed the organization to surround their young quarterback with a plethora of weapons.

Sure, Mahomes’ record-breaking contract extension kicks in after this season, forcing the team to cut corners elsewhere.

Another example is Kyler Murray in Arizona.  The Cardinals drafted the talented dual-threat quarterback first overall, and he’s stepped right in and excelled in his second season at the helm.  Having Murray on a rookie deal allowed the organization to fleece the Houston Texans in acquiring the leagues’ best receiver in DeAndre Hopkins.

It always can go South; look no further than the Washington Football Team and Dwayne Haskins.  That is what makes moving on from the franchise’s all-time top quarterback so difficult.

There are benefits from deciding to move on from Stafford when it comes to the salary cap.  I am a fan of Stafford, and I also feel the organization owes it to him if he felt like he wanted to move on to a contender seeking a quarterback like Indianapolis, or perhaps the San Francisco 49ers.

This is a topic Detroit Lions fans seem split on, but it’s also one I’d like to have an answer to sooner than later in 2021.