According to a new report from Ian Rapoport, Matthew Stafford nixed a deal to the Carolina Panthers and then caused the Los Angeles Rams to “up their offer” before he was traded by the Detroit Lions during the offseason.
As multiple sources explained for the first time, Stafford ultimately steered himself to Los Angeles. He stepped in and stopped a Panthers deal on the verge of happening and caused the Rams to up their offer to include two future first-round picks and Jared Goff.
While the Panthers left the Senior Bowl on Jan. 30 to fly home thinking they had a deal, the Rams were finalizing one with Stafford. In truth, Stafford likely would have vetoed any deal that wasn’t the Rams, per a source involved with the situation.
As previously reported, the Panthers’ offer included QB Teddy Bridgewater and a first-round pick.
