4 QB trade targets for the Panthers not named Deshaun Watson
By Dean Jones
Matthew Stafford – Detroit Lions
It’s not just Deshaun Watson that new quarterbacks’ coach Sean Ryan has connections to. The newest member of the Carolina Panthers coaching staff spent last season working with Matthew Stafford at the Detroit Lions and if he has any input whatsoever, trading for the veteran might not be out of the realm of possibility.
Stafford has enjoyed a fine career after being the No. 1 overall selection back in 2009 out of Georgia. With Dan Campbell coming in as a new head coach, now might be a good time for the player and the organization to go their separate ways and give him a chance to end his playing days on a high elsewhere.
Carolina would need to approach this situation with caution. The Lions could be tempted to release Stafford and save themselves some considerable salary-cap space in the process. So playing hardball with Detroit could see the Panthers get the player without giving up too much.
Stafford represents an upgrade on Teddy Bridgewater. His ability to move the ball downfield quickly is something that could really benefit Carolina’s passing game and his previous relationship with Ryan is another eye-catching element that shouldn’t be overlooked.
The signal-caller managed to go over 4,000 yards passing in 2020 despite not having Kenny Golladay for most of the campaign. If Watson is the Panthers’ first choice, then someone like Stafford would be top of the second-tier of potential trade targets.