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Patricia: 'Laughable' to Link Matthew Stafford Selling House to Lions Future
May 20, 2020
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is moving homes but not cities, according to head coach Matt Patricia:
"I definitely do not read into the real estate market unless it's my house," Patricia said on The Rich Eisen Show Wednesday. "Other than that, I'm good. I know there's a lot of things that are out there, and quite frankly, they were—I think the word I used was laughable. From my standpoint—Matthew Stafford and I—I just couldn't be more happy, more blessed, to be in a situation where he's our quarterback."
Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reported last week that Stafford was selling his $6.5 million mansion in Bloomfield Township, located roughly 30 minutes outside of Detroit.
Kelly Stafford, Matthew's wife, nixed any rumors on Instagram (h/t Birkett): "No speculation is needed. We're about to have our fourth child and I personally do not want to live on a lake or have a pool with four children under the age of a little over 3. So that is the reason that it's on the market."
Lions general manager Bob Quinn called trade rumors surrounding Stafford "100% False!!" in a text to Birkett in mid-February.
The 32-year-old signal-caller spoke on his own behalf last week:
"I really don't pay too much attention to (the trade rumors). I pay less attention to them than my wife does. But it's something that doesn't bother me. Listen, I'm here, I want to be here. I love being a Detroit Lion, I love leading this team. all that kind of stuff is just out there to be out there. It's a slow news month at that point and I'm just happy to be where I am and ready to deal with this offseason the way that it is and try to make the best of the season that I hope happens."
Stafford is under contract with the Lions on a five-year, $135 million deal through 2022, per Spotrac, though there is a potential out in 2021
The Lions seemed to signal their long-term commitment to Stafford by declining to select a quarterback with the No. 3 overall pick in April's draft—instead taking former Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah followed by former Georgia running back D'Andre Swift in the second round (35th overall).
Stafford's value was reiterated last season when he missed the last eight games due to a back injury involving fractures bones. The 2009 No. 1 overall pick had previously made 136 consecutive starts. The 3-12-1 Lions finished 2019 on a nine-game losing streak with Jeff Driskel and David Blough under center.
Entering next season, Detroit's quarterbacks on the roster are Stafford, Blough and Chase Daniel.
Stafford is the Lions' all-time passing leader (41,025 yards and 256 touchdowns) and winningest quarterback (69-79-1).