Should the Panthers make the Lions an offer for Matt Stafford?
Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer told the media in his introductory press conference that he wants to be in on every deal. During his time with the Seahawks they were always aggressive in trade talks, even if those deals didn’t always work out. In any case, if Fitterer’s new franchise is going to contend again soon, they need to find a solution to their quarterback problem.
At the moment there are two big names who are being discussed as potential trading blocks: Deshaun Watson is dissatisfied with the Texans and is trying to push his way out of Houston, though they say he’s not actually available. Matt Stafford saw Dan Campbell’s first press conference and quickly decided to get out, as well. The Lions are actually willing to let him go, it seems. Last night it was reported Stafford and Detroit are going to explore trade possibilities.
As it happens, the Panthers just hired a guy who worked with both closely. Their new quarerbacks coach Sean Ryan just spent two years in Detroit with Stafford after two in Houston with Watson. That connection may not be enough to lure either one. It shouldn’t be discounted, though.
While trading for Watson is obviously the better move on a number of levels, it remains a remote possibility. Despite loads of speculation and some interesting odds in some places, Carolina just doesn’t have the assets that other potential trade partners have – most notably the Jets and the Dolphins- who Watson says are his preferred destinations. The allure there seems to be playing for a coach Watson wants. Robert Saleh has an impeccable reputation with players and was just hired in New York to replace Adam Gas. Brian Flores is also doing great things in Miami despite a pretty limited QB situation himself. It also helps that those teams hold the No. 2 and No. 3 picks in this year’s draft.
Watson is younger and better and the Panthers would be foolish not to inquire. That said, Stafford is a far more realistic target if they’re looking for a veteran at the position and they should also consider him.
When Detroit visited Carolina this season Stafford was extremely limited by a thumb injury, which played a large role in the shutout win. However, when Stafford is healthy he’s a far more potent quarterback than the Panthers’ current starter. While he hasn’t had much success in the postseason, there are only a handful of QBs who consistently play at a higher level every year. In his career (165 games), Stafford has thrown for 45,109 yards and 282 touchdowns to go with 144 interceptions.
What’s striking about Stafford’s game (and therefore worth considering) is how radically different it is from Teddy Bridgewater’s. While No. 5 prefers to take what the defense gives and rarely stretches the field, Stafford’s instinct is to use his elite arm talent to push the ball at every opportunity. Wins are a team stat but for what it’s worth Stafford has made a habit of leading game-winning drives. Since 2010, no NFL quarterback has more.
That’s a quality the Panthers have to look at with more than just a passing interest, especially given the way their season went. Carolina lost several one-score games and Bridgewater consistently failed in clutch moments. In the end, he finished 0/8 on game-winning or tying drives.
If nothing else, Stafford is a far more aggressive-minded passer who has a proven track record of carrying mediocre teams to winning games they have no right to. While there’s a lot of context that matters, that’s exactly the kind of dynamic this team needs.
The details are dicey, though. At the top of the list is Stafford’s age. In a couple of weeks he will turn 33 years old which means he won’t be the franchise QB of the future even if he offers an immediate and massive upgrade at the position. Nevertheless, the competition for Stafford should be fierce – to name a couple the 49ers and the Colts could use him and they offer a better chance for Stafford to go deep in the postseason.
The Panthers also have Bridgewater’s bummer of a three-year contract holding them back. If they’d signed him to a prove-it one-year deal, they’d have at least $23 million more to work with this season. Meanwhile, Stafford still has two years left on his contract, beginning with a $33 million cap number for 2021. Any deal would have to include Detroit eating a large portion of that salary.
It seems like a long shot. However, if they can somehow manage to find a way to make the numbers work, Stafford has to get more than just a kick-the-tires kind of look. Getting an accomplished gunslinger at quarterback isn’t the answer to all of this team’s needs, but it’s hard to imagine a better way to improve the roster.
