Denver Broncos: Team’s reported offer for Matthew Stafford not nearly enough
The Denver Broncos, as many fans know by now, made a play to obtain Matthew Stafford from the Detroit Lions.
The Broncos have been searching for a potential replacement for Drew Lock this offseason, and George Paton nearly began his tenure as the team’s new general manager with a bang. However, according to reports, the team didn’t come up with an offer the Lions were willing to accept.
The Broncos were apparently willing to part with the No. 9 overall pick in the upcoming draft but in return, they wanted Stafford and a second-round pick from the Lions. It’s no wonder why that trade didn’t take place, as the Los Angeles Rams made a much healthier offer.
In exchange for Stafford, the Lions received Jared Goff and a third-round pick in this year’s draft plus first-rounders in 2022 and 2023. The Broncos didn’t come close to that offer.
Broncos fans shouldn’t be upset that the trade offer fell through. Though Stafford has had success in the league, the Broncos can still get a future quarterback in this draft if they wish or they can continue moving forward with Drew Lock without having to give up anything.
It is telling that the team was willing to offer up its first-round pick in order to get a replacement for Lock, suggesting that Paton is not sold on the quarterback he has on the roster. This could also indicate that he was just enamored with Stafford, but it could still point to the team making a move in the draft or even looking to trade for a player like Deshaun Watson before the season starts, should his current off-field issues be resolved.
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A proven upgrade seems to be what Paton is after, which is why he has been patient and not made aggressive moves for guys like Sam Darnold or Carson Wentz, two quarterbacks who were traded this offseason and were linked to the Broncos as well.
As a member of the Minnesota Vikings front office, Paton got to see what Stafford could do twice per year, so he figured he would throw an offer out there. Clearly, if Paton was willing to bring in just anybody to either compete with or take the job from Lock, that move would have already happened.
There’s no certainty the team will even be focused on a quarterback in the first round at all either, but a trade for Teddy Bridgewater could eventually be a move the team makes.
The Broncos will most likely add a quarterback in some form or fashion before the season starts, but Lock continues to dodge bullets, like Stafford, and remain in the starter’s seat.