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After word spread that Lions had agreed to replace quarterback Matthew Stafford for the Rams, there was a report indicating that Stafford told Lions that he was willing to play anywhere but New England.
No specific reasons were given for that position, but former Patriots Tedy Bruschi thinks it’s because Stafford “is not strong enough” to play for the team. A current Patriots member had a different reaction to the news.
Safety Devin McCourty said he doesn’t know Stafford or what’s on his mind, but noted that playing for Matt Patricia in Detroit may have played a role in the quarterback’s thought process. Whatever the sentiment on which it is based, McCourty said he supports players who use power to determine where they are going, if they have it.
“I don’t know. But if it’s true that he didn’t want to be there, it depends on him and it’s his decision,” said McCourty in The DA Show. “I don’t criticize guys for that. I think as players, if you have any power and can make a decision about where to go, you should do that. You must be able to use your platform, use your skill set to get where you want to be, because honestly, in our league no team cares so much about a player. It’s all about how you can help us win. If you can’t help us win, ‘safe trip, let’s move on without you’. So, my goal is that if Matt Stafford didn’t want to be in New England, go wherever you are happy. “
McCourty added that the Patriots “should make you feel that” if they faced Stafford in the future. If he stays with the Rams, he will have to wait until 2024 or the two teams will have to face each other in another Super Bowl.