Matthew Stafford Fantasy

Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn refuted a Wednesday night report that the team is in talks to trade quarterback Matthew Stafford. "100% False!!" Quinn wrote in a text message to the Free Press. Stafford is entering his 12th season in the NFL and threw for 2,499 yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions while setting a career-high passer rating in just eight games before suffering a back injury that caused him to miss the rest of the season. Detroit has the No. 3 pick in the draft, prompting speculation that they could move on from Stafford and select another QB. Stafford gives the Lions the best chance to win in 2020, and the team would incur a $32 million salary cap hit if they trade him.

Feb. 13th • 12:10 PM

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (back), who missed the final eight games of the season with a back injury, said he currently feels really good physically and expects to be ready for the team's offseason program in March without any limitations. At the time of his injury in Week 9 against the Raiders, Stafford was completing 64.3 percent of his passes for 2,499 yards, 19 touchdowns, five interceptions and a passer rating of 106.0. He was leading the NFL in 20-plus yard completions (41) and had a career-best yards-per-attempt average of 8.6. Back injuries to end the last two seasons might be worrisome for fantasy owners heading into the 2020 season, but Stafford's play before his injury in 2019 should make most confident that he'll be at least a low-end QB1 next season.

Jan. 3rd • 8:23 PM

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (back) was placed on the injured reserve Tuesday, ending his season. Had the Lions been fighting for a playoff spot, there is the possibility that Stafford could have returned, but at this point shutting him down for the season was the obvious choice. Stafford was on pace for a career year in his second under head coach Matt Patricia and should be a popular mid-range quarterback pick in fantasy drafts next season. This news doesn't bode well for Kenny Golladay, who has been hit especially hard without his starting quarterback. David Blough should be under center for the Lions remaining two games of the season.

Dec. 17th • 6:08 PM