NFL fans reacted to the stunning report that the Lions and Matt Stafford will part ways
It looks like the Lions and their longtime QB are breaking up.
It looks like the Detroit Lions and Matthew Stafford are about to break up.
The Lions and their quarterback of 12 years have mutually agreed to part ways during the NFL offseason, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Saturday night.
In Detroit for his entire NFL career so far, Stafford was the Lions’ No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, and he is the best quarterback to play for Detroit, leading the franchise in passing yards, passing touchdowns and passer rating, among other stats. However, the Lions only had three playoff appearances in that time (and lost all three games), and Stafford has also dealt with a variety of injuries.
And, according to reports, he and the team aren’t on the same page anymore, as the organization looks to rebuild under new leadership. As Pelissero wrote for NFL.com:
The sides have had open and healthy discussions since the season ended. But with the Lions starting over again, hiring Dan Campbell as head coach and Brad Holmes as general manager, Stafford told the team he feels it’s the right time to move on and team officials agreed, per sources.
It’s obviously too early to know where Stafford — who has two years and $43 million remaining on his contract — will land, but NFL fans had plenty of suggestions, plus a lot of jokes about Campbell’s bizarre introductory press conference this week scaring off the quarterback.
However, many fans also recognized this is probably the best thing for both Stafford and the organization, and a new team could give the soon-to-be 33-year-old passer a chance at winning something in his career.
Matthew Stafford gave it his all in Detroit. The man’s toughness cannot be denied. pic.twitter.com/j31GfRa3yQ
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) January 23, 2021
Dan Campbell: “You ready to bite a kneecap off with the Lions?”
Matthew Stafford: pic.twitter.com/7KaBZfuYgQ
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) January 23, 2021
Stafford after Campbell’s presser: pic.twitter.com/LNNkWBHXSH
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) January 23, 2021
Stafford gonna light it up somewhere else. I’m rooting for him.
— DLB (@DetLionBlood) January 23, 2021
Cheers to Matthew Stafford
My favorite Detroit Lion of all time… Go get what you deserve
pic.twitter.com/WJ1qimdkpo
— Evan Fox (@evanfoxy) January 23, 2021
Matthew Stafford wants a fresh start? pic.twitter.com/JnrEc5x0ey
— Boston Diehards (@Boston_Diehards) January 23, 2021
If you wanna show appreciation to Matthew Stafford, Let’s get #ThankYou9 trending.
I’ll follow and root on this guy wherever his career takes him. The greatest player I got to watch play in Honolulu blue. pic.twitter.com/4H5TM9ID9v
— Detroit Moments (@DetroitMoments) January 23, 2021
Freedom for Stafford.
Beautiful, beautiful freedom. https://t.co/oSNsASYCoX
— FactorTree of Sadness (@UrinatingTree) January 23, 2021
Live look at Matthew Stafford …. pic.twitter.com/MPoDqAFrlm
— trey wingo (@wingoz) January 23, 2021
*Campbell meets Stafford*
Campbell: “This is a new era. We’re going to the playoffs next year.”
Stafford: pic.twitter.com/PP6o1oH0Gw
— Shooter McGavin (@ShooterMcGavin_) January 23, 2021
Colts fans when they heard Matthew Stafford is available for trade. pic.twitter.com/3pCbt3eGHM
— Sam Sinclair II (@SamSinclair96) January 23, 2021
#WashingtonFootball Twitter right now after Stafford news… pic.twitter.com/AiHAjbXAFb
— WKC (@WashingtonFanKC) January 23, 2021
Thank you Matthew Stafford.
9⃣ pic.twitter.com/knxucdMVca
— Mike Archambeau #OnePride DETROITLIONSvsEVERYBODY (@archambeaum3) January 23, 2021
#Vikings and #Bears fans knowing the #Lions won't trade Stafford within the division pic.twitter.com/eXLHYRKCYB
— Aaron Freeman (@falcfans) January 23, 2021
Matthew Stafford to the 49ers
Deshaun Watson to the Jets
Carson Wentz to the Colts
Sam Darnold to the WFT pic.twitter.com/a2xF7Gchof— KIRILL KAPRIZOV SZN (@WilsonToJJets) January 23, 2021
Dan Campbell- “We’re going to bite kneecaps. We are going to slam dudes. And then we will smile in your face after we do it.”
Matthew Stafford- pic.twitter.com/6oZS24St0Z
— Vincent Perricone (@VPerricone92) January 23, 2021
How will Matthew Stafford be remembered in Detroit… pic.twitter.com/C08sR3u5pR
— Dan Leach (@DanLeach971) January 23, 2021