As we now know, the Detroit Lions will officially trade Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams on or shortly after the new league year begins on March 17.
But what if the Lions would have held on to Stafford for the 2021 season? Could they have decided to trade for a future Hall of Fame wide receiver?
Well, according to an article put out by Bleacher Report back in January, a suggested blockbuster trade would have landed the Lions with Odell Beckham Jr.
Here is what Bleacher Report had to say just over a month ago.
Trade rumors have circled Odell Beckham Jr. pretty much since he was first traded to the Cleveland Browns in March 2019. He has struggled to develop chemistry with quarterback Baker Mayfield, and while it’s unfair to say that Mayfield is better off without him, the Browns could still view him as expendable.
Beckham was lost for the season to a torn ACL after just seven games, and Cleveland still managed to win 11 games and advance to the divisional round of the playoffs. If the Browns could get some quality defensive talent for Beckham, a trade could make sense.
While Beckham hasn’t been a natural fit in head coach Kevin Stefanski’s offense, he could be a great fit for the Detroit Lions and cannon-armed quarterback Matthew Stafford. It’s unclear who will be coaching the Lions offense in 2021, but the personnel suggests that Detroit will be less run-heavy than the Browns.
Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. will also be free agents, so a new No. 1 receiver could be at the top of the Lions’ wish list.
Beckham’s trade value has taken a hit over the last couple of years, and the ACL injury certainly isn’t going to help. However, Cleveland could ask for a Day 3 draft pick and a veteran defender in return. Cornerback Justin Coleman—who was in Vikings camp with Stefanski back in 2015—might be a prime target.
Nation, had the Lions kept Matthew Stafford, would you have liked to see him paired up with Beckham Jr.?
