Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Maybe the San Francisco 49ers weren’t as “in it” for quarterback Matthew Stafford as everyone assumed. At least, that is what Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported in his latest feature.
Stafford wanted to go to California. After all, his family has a home in Newport Beach, which is about 40 miles south of SoFi Stadium. According to Breer, the Los Angeles Rams were always his preferred destination, following by the 49ers and Indianapolis Colts.
On Saturday night, Stafford got his wish. The Detroit Lions traded the quarterback to the Rams in exchange for two future first-round picks, a third-rounder, and Jared Goff. It seemed like a haul for the soon-to-be-33-year-old quarterback. But at least part of the offer was reportedly to entice the Lions to take on Goff’s salary. The result was an offer that was tough to beat. Los Angeles clearly was all-in on Stafford and eager to ship Goff and his massive contract out of Southern California.
So how far did talks between the 49ers and Lions get? Not far at all, it seems. Breer reports that the two sides had some discussions in Mobile, Alabama, leading to the Senior Bowl, but that’s all they were — talks. Nothing was on the verge of becoming official, despite what the Twitter rumors and speculation had everyone believing.
San Francisco planned to continue discussions with Detroit after the weekend, but then things heated up on Saturday, and Lions reached out to gauge the 49ers’ interest.
“My sense is the 12th pick was never going to be offered,” wrote Breer, which matches what we had heard all last week — that the 49ers were doing everything they could to keep the No. 12 overall pick out of play. Of course, that always came with the caveat that things could change quickly.
When Detroit reached out, things had clearly escalated beyond what the 49ers were comfortable with, and the team had no issue moving on from Stafford and moving forward with Jimmy Garoppolo.
Breer also broke down what other teams were offering to the Lions for Stafford.
- The Carolina Panthers offered the No. 8 overall pick in this year’s draft plus a later pick.
- The Washington Football Team was offering the No. 19 overall pick with a third-round pick.
- The Colts never offered their first-rounder but did discuss packages of picks and a player.
- The Denver Broncos discussed a pick swap with the Lions that would have equated to a late first-round pick. That didn’t go anywhere.
- The New England Patriots discussed packaging a second-round pick with a player but weren’t on Stafford’s list of preferred destinations.
- Talks with the Chicago Bears and New York Jets didn’t get far.
More San Francisco 49ers News
Breer sounds unsure about 49ers while naming teams ‘solidly in it’ for Matthew Stafford
By David Bonilla
Jan 30, 2021
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated answered questions from fans and was asked about Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has reportedly been the subject of much discussion this past week at the Senior Bowl.
“The Lions brass was in Mobile, Alabama, and they’ve been talking trade on Stafford,” Breer said. “I think they’d like to move him before the Super Bowl. I think they’re going to get a first-round pick. Maybe a first-round pick plus something else.
“I can give you seven teams that I know are solidly in it. That would be Washington, Carolina, New England, Indianapolis, Chicago …”
Breer paused for a second and then continued while sounding a bit less sure about the next two teams on his list.
“San Francisco and LA, I think
King proposes 49ers offer Jimmy Garoppolo, next year’s 2nd-round pick for Matthew Stafford
By David Bonilla
Jan 25, 2021
Matthew Stafford has the statistics of an elite NFL quarterback, passing for over 4,000 yards eight times over his 12-year career. What he lacks is playoff success. He has yet to win a playoff game.
Peter King of NBC Sports questions whose fault that is, though. Is it Stafford’s fault? Or does the blame fall on the Detroit Lions, who can never put enough talent around the quarterback? Stafford has also seen a revolving door of coaches and general managers come through. King believes the blame falls on the organization more than the quarterback.
“He’s been a shining light for a bad franchise and deserves to have a chance to win in the last few years of his career,” King
King: 49ers among teams that ‘competed’ for Matthew Stafford, lost out to Rams
By David Bonilla
Jan 30, 2021
The San Francisco 49ers may downplay their level of interest in Matthew Stafford. On Saturday, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the team denied rumors that it was on the verge of trading for the Detroit Lions quarterback. However, Peter King of NBC Sports reports that San Francisco was among the teams that were “very interested” in and “competed” for Stafford.
Stafford did end up in the NFC West, ultimately landing with the Los Angeles Rams, who gave up a haul to acquire the soon-to-be 33-year-old quarterback. That included multiple first-round picks, a third-rounder, and Jared Goff.
According to King, the Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, and Indianapolis Colts were also in the running for
Lions initiate trade talks with teams interested in Matthew Stafford
By David Bonilla
Jan 27, 2021
Let the race begin. At least, that’s the thought process in Detroit. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Lions have started speaking with other teams interested in Matthew Stafford, seeing what they can get in return for the quarterback. Are the San Francisco 49ers among those teams?
Teams already are reaching out to the Detroit Lions to initiate trade talks and figure out what it would take to acquire QB Matthew Stafford, per sources.— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 26,