Matthew Stafford isn’t a ‘winner’, leaving Tedy Bruschi skeptical about his fit with Patriots
Similar to the 2020 offseason, there’s going to be endless debates on the New England Patriots’ quarterback situation going into 2021.
There isn’t much information coming from Bill Belichick and the team, but speculation is leading to the fact that Cam Newton is on his way out in free agency. Whether or not the Patriots seek out a veteran or find their guy with the No. 15 pick is an absolute mystery.
One quarterback that does stand out is the 32-year-old Matthew Stafford, who’s mutually parting ways with the Detroit Lions this offseason. Because Stafford still has two years remaining on his contract, the money situation will be tricky and the Patriots are one of the few teams who can afford him. Former Patriots executive Michael Lombardi laid out the financial scenario and explained why the Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts are front-runners.
Rodney Harrison gave his insight on the situation and believes Stafford would be a ‘perfect’ choice for the team. Tedy Bruschi doesn’t agree and he argued his point Wednesday on WEEI’s “Ordway, Merloni and Fauria.”
“No, I don’t agree with Hot Rod there,” Bruschi said. “I’m a fan of Matthew Stafford, the player. I’m just not a fan of his teams. And so what does that say? It says watching him play is fun — sling it all over the place, the arm angles, taking chances. All of that stuff, that’s great. But it never equals into anything substantial, anything meaningful for the victory.”
And Bruschi is correct — Stafford is a 12-year veteran who had solid teams in Detroit and he only produced three playoff appearances, with no wins.
“He is a star, but, yes, he is not a winner,” Bruschi said. ” … There’s a lot of guys out there with a lot of stats that have no playoff wins, and I think Stafford doesn’t have playoff wins for a reason.
“Now if he comes to New England, you’re gonna have to drop in pay, you’re gonna have to learn to play a different way. And if there’s anyone that knows what kind of player you are, he’s on the staff now, who’s just been hired, and that’s (former Lions head coach) Matt Patricia.”
Newton was willing to risk time with his family and learn a new system, but he talked numerous times about the mental grind of playing in New England. Like Bruschi said, Patricia would know best if Stafford had that ability in him.
“I would say this, winning football is something that I don’t really recognize when I watch him play,” Bruschi said. “I just recognize the highlight plays that he has and that’s really not gonna work with this type of team, in my opinion.”
The Patriots met with Alabama’s Mac Jones at the Senior Bowl and they have options in other places if Stafford doesn’t pan out.
