Matthew Stafford may have been gone from Detroit since 2021, but his name still resonates with Lions fans. The longtime franchise quarterback, who spent more than 10 years in the Motor City, was traded to the Los Angeles Rams and went on to capture a Super Bowl in his first year there. While the championship stung for Detroit supporters, many still take pride in his success.
This offseason hasn’t been smooth for Stafford, who battled injury concerns. Despite that, he’s slated to start for the Rams when they face the Houston Texans on Saturday, September 8. Coincidentally, the Lions will be kicking off their season against Green Bay that same day, so Detroit’s attention may be elsewhere, but Stafford’s game is drawing NFL-wide interest.
Ahead of the opener, Stafford drew some tough words from Jeff Howe of The Athletic. In a preview piece published September 6, Howe highlighted his concerns about the veteran signal-caller.
Criticism From The Athletic
Howe didn’t exactly paint a flattering picture of Stafford.
“I don’t like the sound of a lingering back issue for any player, let alone a 37-year-old quarterback who has taken a pounding throughout his career,” Howe wrote. “At his peak last season, Stafford was more of a second-tier quarterback.”
Calling a recent Super Bowl winner “second-tier” is a blunt assessment. Howe further warned that the Rams’ heavy reliance on young talent makes them a team with upside, but Stafford’s durability could determine how far they actually go. “I’m wary of any roster trying to reach its potential when the health of the quarterback is such a big question mark,” he added.
Recognition Balances Out the Criticism
While Howe cast doubt, others continue to respect Stafford’s career. On August 30, NESN’s Colin Keane ranked him the 50th-best quarterback in NFL history.
“Drafted first overall in 2009 by Detroit, Stafford quickly emerged as one of the league’s top passers despite being on struggling teams,” Keane wrote. Over 12 years with the Lions, Stafford broke franchise records in completions, passing yards, and touchdowns, becoming the fastest QB to surpass 30,000, 40,000, and 45,000 yards through the air.
Keane praised Stafford’s “elite arm strength and ability to launch deep passes with both accuracy and velocity,” as well as his resilience, noting that he often played through painful injuries without missing much time.
Currently, Stafford is under contract with the Rams on a two-year, $8.4 million deal, $8 million of which is guaranteed. Jimmy Garoppolo is serving as his backup in Los Angeles.
