SHOCKING WARNING FOR MATTHEW STAFFORD: Former Lions Star Faces MAJOR Doubts Ahead of Crucial Season Opener
Former Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has been in Los Angeles for several seasons, but we haven’t forgotten about him in Detroit. Stafford, of course, was the quarterback for the Lions for more than a decade but left the Motor City via a trade to the Los Angeles Rams in 2021. He won a championship that season, which hurt, but many in Detroit were and still are happy for his success.
After dealing with a dicey offseason due to an injury, Stafford is scheduled to start for the Rams against the Houston Texans on Saturday, September 8. It’s the same time that the Lions will take on the Packers, so few in Detroit will be watching, but the Rams and Texans matchup is certainly of interest to the NFL.
Now, ahead of the game, Stafford is getting cautioned by Jeff Howe of The Athletic. In a piece published on Saturday, September 6, Howe talks about the games of the week and mentions some things that make him nervous about Stafford.
Former Lions Quarterback Matthew Stafford Gets Heat
How doesn’t sound like something who thinks Stafford should be leading the Rams. It’s just his opinion, of course, but it’s pretty strong.
“I don’t like the sounds of a lingering back problem for anyone, let alone a 37-year-old quarterback who has taken a litany of grueling hits throughout his career,” Howe stated in the piece. “When Stafford was at his best last season, he was a second-tier QB.” Being called a second-tier quarterback just a few years after winning championship is pretty harsh.
Howe adds, “Combine that with the Rams’ youth movement and this looks like a team with untapped potential, but it won’t matter if Stafford has trouble getting through the season. I’m wary of a team reaching its ceiling when it has that many question marks.”
So, Howe, in general, is “wary” of the Rams headed up by Stafford. The test will be on Saturday, when Stafford and the Rams take on the Texans and the season finally begins.
Matthew Stafford Makes Prestigious Tally
On the bright side of things, Stafford is getting props from another person in the sports world. In an August 30 piece for NESN, Colin Keane names Stafford the No. 50 best quarterback in the history of the league.
“Drafted first overall by the Detroit Lions in 2009 out of the University of Georgia, Stafford quickly established himself as a prolific passer despite playing on underperforming teams,” he states in the feature. “Over 12 seasons with the Lions, he set franchise records in completions, passing yards and touchdowns, becoming the fastest quarterback in NFL history to reach 30,000, 40,000 and 45,000 career passing yards.”
Keane also says that “Stafford’s standout attribute is his exceptional arm strength, allowing him to make deep throws with velocity and precision. He also possesses remarkable toughness, as he’s played through broken bones and dislocations without missing significant time.”
Stafford’s contract with the Los Angeles Rams a two-year, $8.4 million contract, including $8 million guaranteed. Rams quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has been serving as the main backup signal-caller to Stafford.
It took 1 game for 49ers to find out what Chiefs already knew about Skyy Moore
The Kansas City Chiefs ultimately punted on their second-round investment from the 2022 NFL Draft, wide receiver Skyy Moore, by trading him off to the San Francisco 49ers to help them resolve what was an awfully concerning shortage at the position.
Moore wasn't going to be a massive fix for the Niners, and head coach Kyle Shanahan's wide receiver room eventually improved on the eve of the regular season, namely when Jauan Jennings returned from a calf injury.
But, at least the former Western Michigan standout might be able to offer some help on a revamped special teams group.
Moore had been a returner early in his NFL career upon joining K.C., so one figured San Francisco might give him an opportunity to serve in that capacity after opting not to keep its seventh-round draft investment from last April, wide receiver Junior Bergen, on the 53-man roster.
Unfortunately, there's a reason why Kansas City didn't retain the receiver in that capacity either.
Skyy Moore gives major special teams concern to 49ers in 1st game of season
The 49ers opened up their 2025 campaign on the road against the Seattle Seahawks, and one couldn't help but wonder if special teams would be a key X-factor, especially after the Niners brought in coordinator Brant Boyer during the offseason.
In the second quarter, in what was an otherwise normal punt-return attempt, Moore muffed it off to his right.
Fortunately, the first-year San Francisco specialist was able to recover before being pushed out a bounds, but it's an ominous start to his 49ers career in this regard, as shared by NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco:
As Maiocco pointed out, Moore was benched by the Chiefs after three muffed punts, and now the receiver's first attempt with the Niners fell into the same category.
Perhaps Moore ends up having better luck moving forward, although it'll be interesting to see if he winds up continuing in this capacity for the long haul.
