The Detroit Lions will be in the market for a franchise quarterback.
According to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Lions and Matthew Stafford have agreed to part ways, and the team will be looking at trade options in the coming weeks as they look to get something in return for their former 2009 first-round pick.
Could one of those teams include the Houston Texans?
Things between the Texans and quarterback Deshaun Watson are presently tense, and there have been rumors that the three-time Pro Bowler could request a trade. If he does, the Texans will have to make sure they get the most value out of dealing away their franchise quarterback.
If Houston were to make the trade with Detroit, Watson would be working with rookie coach Dan Campbell, who previously was the tight ends coach and assistant to the head coach with the New Orleans Saints from 2016-20. Watson’s new offensive coordinator would be Anthony Lynn, former coach of the Los Angeles Chargers for the past three seasons. The Lions would have a little over $2.5 million in salary cap space, which would make surrounding Watson with talent somewhat challenging. Detroit has a capable tight end in T.J. Hockenson, who caught 67 passes for 723 yards and six touchdowns en route to a Pro Bowl selection.
The Texans would get Matthew Stafford in return and at least the Lions’ No. 7 overall draft pick. Houston should try to get as many draft picks as they can from Detroit as losing Watson will no doubt be a step back, but, for the sake of the Texans, a step back before the team took two strides forward.
Adding Stafford would also make the hiring of Jim Caldwell as coach all the more appealing. No one got more out of the Lions and Stafford from 2014-17 than Caldwell with Detroit recording three winning seasons and two playoff berths. If Houston were to re-sign receiver Will Fuller, Stafford would have targets in Fuller and Brandin Cooks that would be on par with Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones.
