Goodbye, Detroit. Hello, Indianapolis?
Matthew Stafford’s wife, Kelly, posted a goodbye letter to the city of Detroit on Monday after reports surfaced that the quarterback and the Lions planned to part ways this offseason.
“Thank you. This place, our home, the people… it’s hard to find the words to explain what this place means to me,” Stafford wrote on Instagram. “Random tears come very often when I think about not being here. This place supported me during the toughest time of my life and during the happiest times and I want to thank y’all in the right way.
“Whenever I figure out what the future holds, you’ll be hearing from me again with a thank you that hopefully shows how much gratitude and love I have for this place.. but until then we are going to enjoy our time left in Michigan to the fullest because there really is no other place like it. #detroitvseverybody #staffordstrong”
Kelly is one of the more outspoken NFL wives on social media. She has had her issues with the Lions fan base and with the NFL’s coronavirus restrictions. She also was bravely candid about her brain tumor battle, which was removed during a 12-hour surgery in 2019.
Stafford’s situation is reminiscent to Philip Rivers’ a year ago. Rivers split with the Chargers — a franchise he had spent his entire career with — and ended up signing with the Colts. Now that Rivers has retired, Stafford might be his replacement.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler — in a story citing nine potential destinations — wrote that Stafford “most definitely has his eyes on” the Colts.
Stafford, 32, has two years and $43 million left on his contract. His resume is filled with impressive numbers (45,109 yards, 282 touchdowns), but he has yet to win a playoff game in his 12 years with the beleaguered Lions franchise.
The Colts boast a rock-solid defense, respectable offensive weapons and are coming off an 11-5 season that ended with a wild-card loss to the Bills.
The match could make sense as we head into what promises to be a wild offseason in the NFL quarterback market.