By Sunday 
The Ghost of Quarterbacks Past
If you’re a Detroit Lions fan hoping that the Matthew Stafford saga had finally reached its conclusion, well… not so fast.
Just a few years removed from his blockbuster trade to the Los Angeles Rams—a deal that brought Jared Goff to Detroit and gave Stafford his long-awaited Super Bowl ring—the veteran quarterback is still very much in the picture. And according to NFL analyst Tyler Sullivan, Stafford might not be closing the curtain on his career just yet. In fact, he might still have a few encore performances left… and Lions fans may not like the sound of that.
The Rumors of Retirement Were Greatly Exaggerated
There was plenty of offseason chatter suggesting Stafford might hang it up after the 2024 season. After all, he’s 37, has taken more hits than a playlist on Spotify, and has already climbed the mountain with that 2022 championship run.
But in a CBS Sports feature, Sullivan dropped this eye-opener:
“Stafford’s tenure with the Rams nearly came to an end this offseason as the veteran quarterback flirted with other prospective teams before ultimately deciding to reunite with the Rams via a two-year extension.”
Yep. That means No. 9 is under contract through 2026. Translation: more Stafford, more headaches for the Lions—and possibly more playoff drama.
Still Dangerous, Still in the Hunt
For all the jokes about aging QBs and dwindling arm strength, Stafford is still playing some high-caliber football. The Rams aren’t just letting him ride out his contract—they’re in win-now mode. And that puts them squarely in the NFC playoff mix… right where Detroit plans to be as well.
So while Lions fans are dreaming of Super Bowl runs and division dominance, there’s a not-so-small chance they’ll have to get through a very familiar face to get there.
Meanwhile in Detroit: A Different Kind of Legacy
While Stafford is extending his on-field career, Jared Goff is making his mark in a different way. On June 30, it was announced that Goff, alongside Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores and Lions owner Sheila Hamp, is investing in a new WNBA expansion team set to tip off in 2029. That’s not just legacy—it’s community.
With fellow Detroit icons like Eminem, Grant Hill, Chris Webber, and Mary Barra also on board, Goff is proving he’s all-in on Detroit—not just as a quarterback, but as a builder of the city’s next chapter.
The Verdict: Lions vs. Stafford, One More Time?
It’s a tale as old as… well, at least the 2010s. Stafford may wear different colors now, but if the playoff picture unfolds just right, he could line up opposite his old squad once more.
And let’s be honest—Lions fans wouldn’t have it any other way. A shot at redemption? A chance to out-duel the guy who once was the franchise? It’s the kind of full-circle moment Detroit deserves.
Just don’t expect Stafford to go quietly.