Former Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has been in Los Angeles for several seasons, but we haven’t forgotten about him in Detroit. Stafford, of course, was the quarterback for the Lions for more than a decade but left the Motor City via a trade to the Los Angeles Rams in 2021. He won a championship that season, which hurt, but many in Detroit were and still are happy for his success.
After dealing with a dicey offseason due to an injury, Stafford is scheduled to start for the Rams against the Houston Texans on Saturday, September 8. It’s the same time that the Lions will take on the Packers, so few in Detroit will be watching, but the Rams and Texans matchup is certainly of interest to the NFL.
Now, ahead of the game, Stafford is getting cautioned by Jeff Howe of The Athletic. In a piece published on Saturday, September 6, Howe talks about the games of the week and mentions some things that make him nervous about Stafford.
Former Lions Quarterback Matthew Stafford Gets Heat
How doesn’t sound like something who thinks Stafford should be leading the Rams. It’s just his opinion, of course, but it’s pretty strong.
“I don’t like the sounds of a lingering back problem for anyone, let alone a 37-year-old quarterback who has taken a litany of grueling hits throughout his career,” Howe stated in the piece. “When Stafford was at his best last season, he was a second-tier QB.” Being called a second-tier quarterback just a few years after winning championship is pretty harsh.
Howe adds, “Combine that with the Rams’ youth movement and this looks like a team with untapped potential, but it won’t matter if Stafford has trouble getting through the season. I’m wary of a team reaching its ceiling when it has that many question marks.”
So, Howe, in general, is “wary” of the Rams headed up by Stafford. The test will be on Saturday, when Stafford and the Rams take on the Texans and the season finally begins.
Matthew Stafford Makes Prestigious Tally
On the bright side of things, Stafford is getting props from another person in the sports world. In an August 30 piece for NESN, Colin Keane names Stafford the No. 50 best quarterback in the history of the league.
“Drafted first overall by the Detroit Lions in 2009 out of the University of Georgia, Stafford quickly established himself as a prolific passer despite playing on underperforming teams,” he states in the feature. “Over 12 seasons with the Lions, he set franchise records in completions, passing yards and touchdowns, becoming the fastest quarterback in NFL history to reach 30,000, 40,000 and 45,000 career passing yards.”
Keane also says that “Stafford’s standout attribute is his exceptional arm strength, allowing him to make deep throws with velocity and precision. He also possesses remarkable toughness, as he’s played through broken bones and dislocations without missing significant time.”
Stafford’s contract with the Los Angeles Rams a two-year, $8.4 million contract, including $8 million guaranteed. Rams quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has been serving as the main backup signal-caller to Stafford.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Ex-Lions QB Matthew Stafford Put on Notice Before Season Kickoff appeared first on Heavy Sports.