Detroit Lions GM Quinn Says Team Is Not Looking to Trade QB Matthew Stafford

Lions general manager Bob Quinn refuted a late-night report that the team is in talks to trade quarterback Matthew Stafford.

“100% False!!” Quinn wrote in a text message to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

WDIV-TV, citing sources close to both Stafford and the team, reported late Wednesday night that the Lions are in talks to deal Stafford and those discussions “have been underway for a couple weeks.”

Stafford’s wife, Kelly, addressed the report late Wednesday on Instagram, writing, “Well if detroit is done with us…” over a story listing three potential trade destinations for Stafford, and “I could stay in Cali..” to one suggestion the Los Angeles Chargers would be the most likely candidate to land Stafford in a trade.

Stafford, who turned 32 last week, is entering his 12th NFL season and played some of the best football of his career last year.

He threw for 2,499 yards and 19 touchdowns with five interceptions while setting a career-high for passer rating, but played in only eight games after fracturing bones in his back in a November loss to the Oakland Raiders.

Stafford, one of the NFL’s leading ironmen for most of his career, has suffered back injuries each of the last two seasons, and the Lions have the No. 3 pick in this year’s draft, prompting speculation they could draft Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa as his replacement.