After the 2020 season, the Detroit Lions made a franchise-changing trade. Matthew Stafford, who had served as their starting quarterback for over ten years, wanted to move to a team where he could win and was eventually traded to the Los Angeles Rams.
The trade has benefitted both teams, as the Rams won the Super Bowl in Stafford’s first season in L.A., while Detroit emerged as one of the top NFC teams with Jared Goff at the helm. However, despite Goff’s long-term future in Detroit, Stafford could be on the move again, especially if his wife has any say in the matter.
Matthew Stafford’s Wife Suggests He Might Request a Trade
Kelly Stafford recently talked about her husband’s situation on “The Morning After” podcast. She mentioned that while both she and Matthew enjoy their life in Los Angeles, there is a possibility he could request a trade due to his contract demands and the upcoming trade of Cooper Kupp.
“My husband wants to win. He doesn’t want to put his team in a tough spot,” Kelly Stafford explained. “The trade of Cooper Kupp is puzzling to me. We were one play away from reaching the NFC Championship, and I believe we would have won if we had made it.”
Stafford’s time in Los Angeles started with a Super Bowl victory but has since been marred by complications. He only played in nine games in 2022 due to a neck injury, but he has rebounded, throwing for 7,727 yards, 44 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions, while leading the Rams to the playoffs twice.
However, Stafford nearly didn’t return to L.A. this season due to contract disputes. The Rams and Stafford agreed to a deal worth $46.1 million for this season, but according to SI’s Albert Breer, Stafford could push for a salary over $50 million, following the trend of other top earners.
“What if Stafford wants a market correction and sees that seven or eight other guys are earning over $50 million? It’s possible he will demand that much,” Breer said. “There’s a lot to consider there, and any other team may reach out if Stafford makes that call.”
Kelly Stafford has also hinted at being open to a move from Los Angeles.
“I need to be the one advocating for him to get the respect he deserves. I love L.A., I really do. But I also love the idea of a new adventure.”
If Stafford is traded again, it would add another twist to the trade that sent him from Detroit and bring a sense of déjà vu to Lions fans who have already experienced such a situation.