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Matthew Stafford is technically still a Lion for another month, as the exchange that will send him to the Rams will not be official until the start of the new league year in March.
But when Stafford asked Detroit to change it, he would be willing to go anywhere but New England. Stafford did not confirm this report in an interview with Mitch Albom of Detroit Free Press. But part of the speculation about why he would not like to join the Patriots was the presence of his former coach, Matt Patricia.
Since the Lions fired him in November, Patricia has returned to New England to assist the technical team in a variety of roles. But when addressing the coach, Stafford told Albom that speculation about his partnership with Patricia was overblown.
“He and I had a good relationship, no matter what anyone wants to say,” said Stafford. “I could go to his office and talk to him, he could call me on the phone whenever he needed to. I think we both grew up in that relationship. I have a lot of respect for him and who he is, as a football coach and an incredible mind. “
Regardless, Stafford is heading to Los Angeles, where he must help make the Rams an immediate candidate for the Super Bowl.