Patriots: 3 ‘aggressive’ moves Bill Belichick could be eyeing this offseason
By Mike Luciano
![FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 03: Head Coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images) FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 03: Head Coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/c7b1a32e6bb6bbd259d1ec4ada7252d482028f177db178234afef2c6b7712a4a.jpg)
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Matthew Stafford. 1. QB. Detroit Lions. player. 50
Stafford’s name is firmly in the offseason rumor mill, as he has requested a trade from the Lions after Detroit fired offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and hired Dan Campbell as their head coach. The former No. 1 overall pick has just one Pro Bowl and no playoff wins to his name, but his cannon arm had made him one of the more reliable starters in the league, throwing for over 40,000 yards and 280 touchdown passes in his career. With Stafford playing arguably some of the best football of his career over the last two years, the Patriots should consider making a move for him.
Stafford is still in possession of one of the strongest arms in the league, and the last few seasons have shown that he is capable of eliminating the turnover and decision-making problems that plagued him early in his career. That newfound skill will play well in New England.
Stafford hasn’t had a ton of postseason success, but he’s been extremely productive and consistent with the Lions, and his lack of playoff success can easily be chalked up to the ineptitude of Detroit rather than anything of his doing. Stafford could get the Patriots back to the postseason in a very winnable division, and Belichick shouldn’t hesitate to add him to the fray.