Multiple sources confirm that the 49ers are actively pursuing Matthew Stafford.
Where there is smoke, there is fire.
I wasn't even in Mobile for an hour before the Matthew Stafford smoke hit my nose.
As I was getting into my room my phone started to ring, I picked up and listened to how a well placed source had information that a "handshake" deal was in play between the 49ers and the Lions to acquire QB Matthew Stafford.
This prompted me to reach out to my source from the team side and it was confirmed that the 49ers were actively pursuing Matthew Stafford and Deshaun Watson.
Obviously, this was big news.
*John Lynch has entered the chat*
One of the dots to connect when the Stafford smoke started billowing out of Mobile was the fact that 49ers' GM John Lynch was in town and the feeling was that he wasn't here to scout players.
The word was that Lynch was in town to discuss the Matthew Stafford trade and we confirmed that John Lynch was indeed present at Senior Bowl practice.
Jimmy is most likely done in SF
With the 49ers clearly in the business of getting a new quarterback, the questions remains - what happens to Jimmy Garoppolo?
Based on the information I have continuously received all offseason, it is clear as day that Jimmy will not be on this team in 2021. You can track this back to a healthy Jimmy practicing in Arizona but ultimately shutting it down in order to not risk injury.
Based on everything I are hearing, it doesn't appear that a trade partner is materializing for the former fan favorite based on his contract and is proving very difficult to move.
All signs point to Jimmy being released when the 49ers acquire a new QB.
Wait, we offered Deshaun Watson?
Based on the information I have received earlier this week, the 49ers have been extremely active in pursuing Deshaun Watson.
The problem: the Texans want way to much
From everything I've heard, the Texans are asking for picks + multiple high-end players which the 49ers are not willing to move.
I have heard multiple offers have been sent back and fourth between the teams. Last I heard - Texans want too much.
We chase smoke
With the 49ers clearly looking to upgrade at the QB position, what does all this information mean?
As a football conspiracy theorist - I am always looking at things from multiple perspectives and trying to connect the dots.
With the Stafford smoke turning into a 4-alarm fire here in Mobile, I am very intrigued by how this information influences the Houston Texans and Deshaun Watson.
Behind the scenes, I have heard that Deshaun prefers San Francisco as one of his ideal destinations, but it's clear as day that if the Texans are to trade Watson, they want kings ransom, plus more.
As we know, the media is a perfect tool to generate contractual leverage, which has seemingly been the case with Deshaun Watson. Part of me feels that the 49ers aren't out on Deshaun Watson just yet.
With Matthew Stafford entering the picture late, this hurts the Texans leverage because now there is another top-tier veteran QB available who likely can be had for less assets in a trade and comes with a cheaper price tag in regards to contract value.
Keep in mind, trades don't become official until March. You can agree to trades now, as we have seen in the past, they aren't official-official until the new league year begins.
So why do the Lions seemingly need to move Stafford so quickly?
And there it is....
Trading is about generating leverage which in-turn helps each team maximize the value of the trade.
You best believe that these GM's that have their asses on the line will do whatever it takes to "win" these trades. No one ever wants to be on the perceived "losing" side of the trade.
Just ask
former Texans HC Bill O'Brien.
