Fansided

Good NFL quarterbacks destined for new teams in 2021

By Dustin Baker

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 15: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers drops back to pass in the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on September 15, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 15: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers drops back to pass in the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on September 15, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Lions
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 29: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions walks on the field before the start of the game against the Green Bay Packers Ford Field on December 29, 2019, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

2. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

Derek Carr was theorized to be a reasonably replaceable asset financially because of the way his contract is structured. If the Lions embark on a journey without Matthew Stafford, they would have to trade him or swallow a hefty cap absorption. He’s due $28 million in guaranteed money after the 2020 season.

Why would Detroit imagine a world without Stafford? Simple. He’s too good to be apart of a long rebuild. In 2018, the Lions hired defensive coordinator Matt Patricia away from New England. He was excitedly expected to bring the pain vis-a-vis defense to the city of Detroit. And he has brought the pain–to the cerebrums of Lions season ticket holders. Since Patricia’s hire, Detroit has been the fourth-worst team in the NFL.

If this downward spiral invades the 2020 season, Patricia will be job-hunting, and the Lions will be on the cusp of a rebuild. Stafford will be 33 years old then and probably does not have the patience for a franchise reset. Nor should he. Stafford deserves a shot at the playoffs with a contending team and anybody from the Patriots, Steelers, Saints, Bears, Buccaneers, or Panthers could offer that if the depth-chart cosmos aligned.

If you’re in the camp that speculates the Lions 2020 outlook is grim, that probably lands Stafford a new home in 2021.

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