Matthew Stafford Trade Rumors: GMs, Coaches Believe QB Wants Lions to Move Him

The feeling among opposing coaches and general managers is Matthew Stafford may be looking for a trade from the Detroit Lions. 

Per NFL Network's Michael Silver, there are some rival coaches and general managers who think the veteran quarterback wants the Lions to deal him. 

There have been rumblings about the Lions potentially shopping Stafford this offseason. Bernie Smilovitz of WDIV-TV in Detroit reported earlier this month there have been trade talks going on "for a couple of weeks."

Lions general manager Bob Quinn vehemently denied the rumor in a text message to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press: "100% False!!" 

Head coach Matt Patricia told Peter Schrager on NFL Network's Good Morning Football the Stafford trade rumors are "comical."

The Lions are in an interesting spot leading up to the draft. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. wrote in his most recent mock draft that "there is some buzz" they like Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with the No. 3 overall pick. 

Stafford has a reasonable $21.3 million cap hit in 2020 and is signed through the 2022 season. The 32-year-old was limited to eight games last year due to fractures in his spine. He was on his way to one of the best seasons of his career prior to the injury with 2,499 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and a 64.3 completion percentage.