"So here’s what I propose: The Lions should trade Stafford and a third-round pick to Denver for Miller and Keenum. Stafford and Miller’s cap numbers are similar this year. The two-year, $36-million contract Keenum signed last year is trickier, though Denver would get significant cap relief by trading him and the Lions wouldn’t be tied to him long term. Because of the structure of Stafford's contract, it would behoove the Lions to make the trade after June 1, when the cap hit for dealing him becomes more amendable.
And before you send me hate mail about Keenum and how terrible he is, did you think he was terrible last season, when he threw the Minnesota Miracle pass to Stefon Diggs? Or when he led the Vikings to the NFC title game? Has he been terrible while posting a 6-3 career record against the NFC North?
Keenum’s biggest problem this season was that he didn’t have Pat Shurmur to call the offense and get the most out of him. With the Lions, that wouldn’t be a problem. The Lions could promote or keep quarterbacks coach George Godsey, who was Houston’s QB coach in 2014 when Keenum played well and led the Texans to two late-season wins.
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In fact, Keenum might be exactly what the Lions need in their desire to be a ball-control offense as part of Patricia’s philosophy of complementary football. Keenum hasn’t come close to Stafford’s gaudy yardage numbers, but their statistics in meaningful categories like completion percentage, interception rate, yards per attempt and passer rating are similar.
“And teams that can run the ball, stop the run, control the game towards the end of the season are really, I think, the teams that will have the most chance to win,” Patricia said last week.
The Lions don’t need a gunslinger like Stafford to run their hum-drum offense. It’s like asking a Ferrari to tow an apple cart in first gear. Stafford needs to open the throttle. He’s a stallion that needs to run free. Maybe even a Bronco set loose in greener pastures."