Matthew Stafford is excited for his big comeback after spending the first 12 years of his career with the Detroit Lions and has a message for his former team.
The Los Angeles Rams quarterback will return home after his team clinched the No. 6 seed in the playoffs, setting up a game against the No. 3 Lions on January 14. Stafford stated this week that he is excited to be back in the playoffs and to face the team that chose him with the No. 1 overall pick in 2019.
“The opportunity just so happens to be in Detroit, which is fun for me on a personal level,” Stafford told ESPN. “I’m sure it’ll be rocking there.” There hasn’t been a playoff game there in maybe 30 years or so. As a result, the atmosphere will be fantastic. It will be a difficult assignment for us, but we are quite excited.”
Matthew Stafford: ‘It Will Be Fun’
After the 2021 deal that moved him to Los Angeles in exchange for quarterback Jared Goff and a package of draft picks, Stafford maintained a close relationship with the Lions and the team’s fans. He said “thank you, not goodbye” in a farewell video, reviewing his career and wonderful times with the squad.
Stafford told reporters this week that he wants to express his gratitude to the franchise and its fans.
“It will be fun to see some of the people that I haven’t seen in a while, that I know are still around the building,” remarked Stafford. “Obviously, it will be a different scenario, and they will not be wearing their colors.” But I still thank so many of the people who gave me my start in this league and looked after me for 12 years.”
Stafford said that, notwithstanding the goodwill that still remains between the two sides, a football game will be played.
“Really, to be honest with you, a football game is a football game once the ball is snapped,” Stafford stated, according to The Athletic. “There will be a lot of stuff I’m sure I’ll have to answer questions about beforehand, and they will as well.” However, after the ball is snapped, it is time to play football.
