Ranking Matthew Stafford's potential suitors, and what Detroit Lions might get in a trade - Detroit Free Press

Matthew Stafford will be on the move this offseason, so long as the Detroit Lions can get a fair return in a trade.

QB depth chart: Philip Rivers (retiring), Jacoby Brissett (free agent), Jacob Eason.

2021 draft capital: No.

SHAWN WINDSOR: Lions are about to set Stafford free.

QB depth chart: Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Mullens (restricted free agent), C.J.

2021 draft capital: No.

And with Stafford gone, and the distinct possibility they are not very good again in 2021, the Lions must take a long-term approach to any trade.

QB depth chart: Drew Brees (likely retiring), Taysom Hill, Jameis Winston (free agent).

2021 draft capital: No.

It's not an apples-to-apples comparison when it comes to a trade, but if the Saints are willing to give up a future one for a rookie pass rushers, it stands to reason they'd be willing to make a similar offer to the Lions, whose new head coach Dan Campbell spent the past five years in New Orleans.

And while that would seem to leave the Saints light on draft capital for this season, New Orleans should have high compensatory picks coming its way for the loss of Teddy Bridgewater in free agency and Terry Fontenot to be GM of the Atlanta Falcons.

QB depth chart: Alex Smith, Taylor Heinicke (free agent), Steven Montez.

2021 draft capital: No.

Mayhew drafted Stafford first overall in 2009 and once said, "If we had 22 Matthew Staffords, we'd win a Super Bowl every year." With an extra third-round pick in April's draft from last year's Trent Williams trade, Washington could put an attractive package of picks together without mortgaging its future.

QB depth chart: Cam Newton (free agent), Jarrett Stidham, Brian Hoyer (free agent).

2021 draft capital: No.

2021 draft capital: No.

The Steelers have a messy salary cap situation — they currently sit about $28 million over next year's projected cap — and their allotment of draft capital will make it hard to top other potential offers without dipping into the 2022 pool of picks.

QB depth chart: Tua Tagovailoa, Ryan Fitzpatrick (free agent), Jake Rudock.

2021 draft capital: Nos.

Trade talk: I have no idea how new Lions GM Brad Holmes feels about Tagovailoa, but if the Dolphins really are trying to trade him plus draft picks to the Houston Texans for Watson, Holmes should at least inquire about Miami's interest in Stafford, a player they were rumored to have eyes for last spring

QB depth chart: Jared Goff, Blake Bortles (free agent), John Wolford

2021 draft capital: No first-round pick; four picks in Rounds 2-7

But if the Lions changed area codes on Bob Quinn's direct trade line to the Patriots front office, we have to at least account for the tiny possibility these two teams could swap quarterbacks with something else coming the Lions' way in return