If the 49ers are going to trade for Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, they reportedly will have stiff competition.
“From what I understand, about a third of the league has called the Lions,” NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport said Wednesday on “Good Morning Football.” “Significant interest in Matthew Stafford, [the Lions] should be able to get at least a first-rounder there from wherever he goes.”
Rapoport didn’t specify if the 49ers were one of the teams to inquire about Stafford, 32, amid reports that he and the Lions will part ways this offseason. NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco wrote earlier this month the 49ers are expected to be one of the teams interested in Stafford, whom Detroit selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.
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Trading for Stafford probably won’t require as many draft picks or roster players as, say, acquiring Deshaun Watson or Aaron Rodgers would, but competing with — give or take — 10 other suitors almost assuredly will drive the acquisition price up.
NBC Sports’ Peter King speculated the 49ers could trade Jimmy Garoppolo and a second-rounder, but the number of teams reportedly interested in Stafford could mean the 49ers give up the No. 12 pick in this year’s draft as part of a deal. The 49ers currently have 10 draft selections for 2021, including at No. 12 and No. 43 overall.
It’s not even Super Bowl Week, so Stafford’s saga likely is just getting started. If the 49ers ultimately acquire the QB, Rapaport’s reporting indicates they’ll have outlasted a lot of other bidders.
