Former Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, now with the Los Angeles Rams, is once again at the center of trade discussions.
Stafford, who joined the Rams in 2021 and led them to a Super Bowl victory in his first season, has frequently been mentioned in trade scenarios by NFL analysts. This year, with the Rams off to a rough 1-4 start heading into Week 7, the trade chatter has intensified.
Some analysts believe that an NFC team could get a significant “upgrade” by acquiring Stafford.
Matthew Stafford Could Make a Team Playoff-Ready
In an October 17 article for GMenHQ, writer Doug Rush highlighted how some New York Giants fans on social media have proposed trading for Stafford as an alternative to current quarterback Daniel Jones.
Rush wrote, “Once the idea was floated, it sparked a debate on social media about whether or not the Giants should pursue a trade for Stafford. Some fans are opposed, preferring to draft a new quarterback, while others continue to back Jones, believing no one can replace ‘Danny Dimes.’”
FanDuel even speculated that a combination of Stafford and wide receiver Malik Nabers could “break the NFL.”
Rush pointed out the potential benefits of such a move. “Stafford, a former Super Bowl champion, would be an instant upgrade over Jones, and if the Giants are looking for a short-term solution, Stafford would be a solid choice,” he said. “There was some speculation that Stafford could be traded before next month’s deadline, but given his contract and Jones’ current deal, it would be almost impossible to pull off.”
He added, “The only way Stafford could land with the Giants midseason would be in a trade for Jones, but such a move makes little sense right now and isn’t likely to happen.”
Rush suggested that acquiring Stafford could give the Giants a chance to regroup for the future. “If the Giants don’t end up at the top of the draft board, bringing in Stafford for the 2025 season would give them flexibility to figure out their long-term quarterback situation.”
Trading or Releasing Jones Would Be Necessary
In another October 17 article, Michael Gallagher of Athlon Sports discussed what it would take for the Giants and Rams to make a trade for Stafford. He noted that Stafford has two-and-a-half seasons remaining on his four-year, $160 million contract.
“The downside to adding Stafford is that the Giants would then have two $160 million quarterbacks on their roster, meaning Jones would either need to be traded or released,” Gallagher explained. “If released before June 1, Jones would carry a $69.3 million dead cap hit, which drops to $47.1 million if he’s cut after June 1.”
However, Gallagher also pointed out that trading Jones after June 1 would result in only $11 million in dead money, while the Giants would save $36.75 million in cap space.
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