The former 1st overall draft pick of 2009, and Detroit Lions Franchise Quarterback Matthew Staffords time in Detroit is coming to an end. News came just days after The Lions announced the hiring of Dan Campbell to be the next head coach. With most fans sad, but understanding he deserves better, lets look at what 3 teams make the most sense for Matthew Stafford to join:

1. The Indianapolis Colts- The Quarterback room in Indianapolis has been very shaky for the last few years. After the premature retirement of Andrew Luck, The Colts would turn to Former New England Patriot backup Jacoby Brissett in 2019, but he didn’t pan out the way they had hoped, so they would sign 39 year old Philip Rivers to a 1 year deal. Rivers announced his retirement after Indianapolis lost 24-27 to the Buffalo Bills in the Wildcard round.  The Colts will be looking to make a splash this off season, and with Stafford on the market with 3-5 years left guaranteed in his career, Indianapolis will be aiming for the big name Quarterback to take them on a playoff run.
2. The San Francisco 49ers- In 2017, former Atlanta Falcons Offensive Coordinator Kyle Shanahan to take over as the head coach for the 5 time Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers. With the hire, they would then sign former backup to Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo. After a handful of games under center, in 2018, Garoppolo would sign a 5-year contract worth a maximum of $137.5 million, which was the largest contract at the time.  Garoppolo would have a season ending injury that year, but would bounce back in 2019 to start 8-0 with the 49ers before leading them to the teams first Super Bowl appearance since 2013 where they would be defeated by the Baltimore Ravens.  With expectations high for 2020, Garoppolo would start strong but injure his ankle in week 2. He would make a comeback but would re-aggravate it in week 8 where he would then be put on the Injured Reserve list.  The 49ers want Garoppolo as a part of their future plans, but ongoing injuries are making them see the bigger picture.  Matthew Stafford is identical in playing style that 49ers coach Shanahan has worked with for the majority of his career. With Stafford’s price tag being equivalent to a backup Quarterbacks salary, it would make sense for the 49ers to sign Stafford to a 3 year deal. Low risk, High Reward.
3. The Houston Texans-  With the 3 time pro-bowler Deshaun Watson being so open about wanting out of Houston, it stirs the pot that maybe Stafford signs a 3-5 year deal with The Texans to return to his home state of Texas. Stafford was raised in Highland Park, Texas, which is just minutes outside of Downtown Dallas.  The reason we believe he doesn’t go to the Cowboys is because Dallas is all in on Dak Prescott staying under center for the rest of his career there.  Houston is a 3 1/2 drive, or a 1 hour long flight from Dallas so Stafford could go back to his boyhood home more often on Weekends. Houston is in the midst right now of a complete overhaul of staff, and some players, and have yet to announce a head coach at the time of this article. Watson has made it clear that he is not interested in the team anymore do to broken promises that he would be more involved in the team decisions like coaching.  Not many players are given the chance to have their opinion heard, but Watson surely wasn’t listened to, and for that, the 25 year old dual threat Quarterback no longer wanting to play for the Red and Blue. So if Stafford is still on the market when the Texans hire their next head coach, expect some trade talks between the Lions and Texans.

Although most Lions fans are sad to see him go, we would like to share our favorite moment showing toughness and determination from #9, courtesy of NFL Films. We will miss you, #9. You are forever a Lion to us.