Lions reportedly will look to deal Stafford
Multiple outlets reported Saturday that the Lions and quarterback Matthew Stafford mutually have agreed to part ways and that the team will start listening to trade offers for him this week.
ESPN reported that with new general manager Brad Holmes and new coach Dan Campbell now in place, the Lions will begin trade discussions that likely will result in a new quarterback. The Lions are expected to receive at least a first-round draft pick for Stafford, league sources said.
Stafford, whom the Lions selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft in 2009, has not had a playoff victory in his 12 seasons in the league. But he has two years left on a team-friendly contract that is scheduled to pay him a combined $43 million in 2021 and 2022 and remains among the more talented quarterbacks in the NFL.
Stafford, who will turn 33 next month, becomes the latest in a long line of quarterbacks who are expected to be available this offseason.
The Texans’ Deshaun Watson and the Eagles’ Carson Wentz also might be available in a trade, and the free-agent quarterback class is expected to include the Bears’ Mitch Trubisky, the Cowboys’ Dak Prescott, the Patriots’ Cam Newton and the Saints’ Jameis Winston, among others.
Also, The Athletic reported the Lions are expected to hire former Chargers coach Anthony Lynn as their offensive coordinator. The Chargers fired Lynn this month after four seasons at the helm.
Pack CB Williams has shot at history
The Packers elevated 37-year-old cornerback Tramon Williams to their active roster for the NFC Championship Game on Sunday against the Buccaneers.
The Packers claimed Williams off waivers from the Ravens last week and put him on their practice squad. If he plays against the Bucs, he would become the first player in NFL history to play for two teams in the same postseason. Williams had three tackles in the Ravens’ AFC divisional playoff loss Jan. 16 to the Bills.
Williams previously played for the Packers in 2007-14 and in 2018-19. He played a key role in their run to the title in Super Bowl XLV with interceptions in playoff games against the Eagles and Falcons.
Reports: Eagles decide on DC
Multiple outlets reported the Eagles will hire Colts defensive backs coach Jonathan Gannon to be their defensive coordinator. The move will reunite him with former Colts offensive coordinator and newly hired Eagles coach Nick Sirianni, with whom he worked for the last three seasons.
Sun-Times wires