It?s unlikely.....but not impossible. It?s $30M in dead cap money if he?s traded and $50M if he?s cut. He clearly won?t be cut. But with a $29.5M cap hit trading him COULD happen this season.
However, there are a few things to consider.
1. Most importantly....who would be interested....and who replaces him. Cassell? No. Bridgewater, Winston or Fitzpatrick are the three top veterans available. (Winston would have to be a trade). TEddy B. is an interesting choice....but do you want to throw money at a guy who?s best season saw him throw for 201 yards/game and a whopping 14 TD in 16 games. He?s a stopgap right now. If he were just looking for a one year deal to prove himself as a starter it might be worth it......But it would probably take 10 million for a one year deal and that?s $40 million of cap money dedicated to the quarterback position. That?s a lot!
2. Does Quin (and/or Patricia) have the job security to go through a quarterback rebuild?
3. Is Martha Ford willing to pay Stafford $66M this year and then let him walk? That?s a pride swallowing amount of cash, even for the Fords.
4. Is there someone coming out THIS year you want to build around? Do the Lions like Herbert enough...could they get him? Haskins if he comes out? Lock?
Personally, my opinion is it?s an all in season for Stafford and the Lions in 2019. If the season isn?t a success (meaning a higher seed or a low seed WIN) it?s likely Stafford is gone and another rebuild will start with ANOTHER GM and head coach.