Detroit Lions and Matthew Stafford are headed for a divorce and fans are literally in pain
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Get in line, NFL teams: The greatest quarterback in Detroit Lions history is on the market.
Matthew Stafford and the Lions, who drafted the 32-year-old No. 1 overall in 2009, have agreed to part ways, according to multiple reports. Stafford still has years left on his contract so Detroit is exploring trade options.
[ Lions hit on personality, miss on real expectations with Dan Campbell, Brad Holmes ]
Stafford's career with the Lions has been marked by heroic comeback efforts, record-setting performance and, of course, losses. Hard to blame Stafford for many of those L's; he's the franchise all-time leader passer by nearly 25,000 yards and has throw 150 more touchdowns than any other Lion.
All while dealing with unreliable defenses and even worse run games. Not to mention his very best passing targets were not usually long for Detroit (Calvin Johnson retired in his prime; Golden Tate traded and Kenny Golladay very likely headed for free agency).
With a new front office and coaching staff welcoming in a rebuild the move isn't exactly surprising, but that doesn't help many Lions fans.
12 years
6,224 passes
35,109 yards
282 touchdowns
end of an era— mansur (@mansurshaheen) January 23, 2021
Legit sick to my stomach, not because this is the wrong move, but because it hurts.
— SandmanLions (@Sandman7773) January 23, 2021
If there's one thing we've learned, it's that Dan O knows (about Matt Stafford).
Trust Dan Orlovsky’s word
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 23, 2021
Let the bidding commence!
— Beastradamus (@BeastFBall) January 23, 2021
I'm sure many Lions fans feel you.
I’m literally laying on the floor right now. I’ll probably be here for a while
— Mike Payton (@POD_Payton) January 23, 2021
Will be weird to see Stafford in a different uniform but I hope he gets a chance to win a championship in the next couple years. Guy deserves it. https://t.co/lyxAtLwNe0
— TJ Lang (@TJLang70) January 23, 2021
Let the bidding wars begin https://t.co/ZoKwZ9cb7C
— Will Latham (@lathamsports_) January 23, 2021
Other teams' fans are already trying to poach Staff.
Need Stafford in New Orleans
— Henry E. Panki (@tryna_be_famous) January 23, 2021
Matthew Stafford and #Colts are such a perfect fit. Everything Stafford has ever needed is in Indy:
• Elite offensive line
• Jonathan Taylor at RB
• Michael Pittman as vertical threat
• Top 10 defense
• Super Bowl window next 5-7 years
• Creative offense
• Best GM in NFL pic.twitter.com/rjNaXVGmGP— Locked On Colts Podcast (@LockedOnColts) January 23, 2021
Most pass yds in NFL history:
(First 165 starts)
1. Matthew Stafford (45,109)
2. Aaron Rodgers (44,634)
3. Drew Brees (44,195) pic.twitter.com/sZ4XkbR6Q9— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) January 23, 2021
Classic.
Dan Campbell: “You ready to bite a kneecap off with the Lions?”
Matthew Stafford: pic.twitter.com/7KaBZfuYgQ— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) January 23, 2021
Follow the Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for more news. Tyler Davis can be contacted at tjdavis@freepress.com or on Twitter @TDavisFreep.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions fans in pain after learning Matthew Stafford wants out
