Last season saw the Detroit Lions start off the season by trading their franchise quarterback, Matthew Stafford, to the Rams.
In making that trade, the Lions got plenty of draft picks for their franchise quarterback.
However, the team who saw an instant benefit in the deal were the Rams, as they won a Super Bowl with him.
Because of this, Lions fans should be upset with their trade over the trade.
They watched their guy win that Super Bowl with another team.
But that’s the norm for the Lions and their fanbase.
Stafford Bringing A Super Bowl To Detroit Would Have Been Difficult
While some fans feel Stafford could have gotten the team a Super Bowl title, it wouldn’t have been easy.
He had one season where most of the pieces were together for him.
However, it ended in failure for him and Detroit.
The 2014 season when Matthew Stafford had the most complete team with a Lions defensive unit that was a top third defense and a top second scoring defense. LIONS defense were electrifying. Lions finished with 11-5. Controversial playoff loss to Dallas Cowboys though.
— Jason Tom HNL (譚志豪) (@mrjasontom) June 16, 2021
When he had a top-five defense and a top-tier receiver in Calvin Johnson that season, he couldn’t get them over the hump.
Some blame that playoff loss and wasted chance on the refs.
But some of that blame could be because he never had a running game in Detroit.
With no fear of a running game, defenses could focus on the duo of Johnson and Stafford.
So while the Super Bowl chances led to a wasted opportunity, management is to blame for not getting him the right tools.
The Lions Ownership Consistently Upset Their Fans
While the Ford family made some excellent decisions, most of them have upset their fans.
Decisions like drafting Barry Sanders, Calvin Johnson, and Ndamukong Suh were good for Detroit.
However, the Stafford trade, not helping Sanders, and wasting the one team they had who could have made a Super Bowl run, all upset their fans.
But making bone head personnel and roster moves is something the Ford family has done for years.
Just look at former Lions CEO and de facto general manager Matt Millen.
He knew nothing about operating a football team.
However, that didn’t stop William Clay Ford Sr. from hiring him.
When first approached by owner William Clay Ford, Sr. about the job, Millen told him "Mr. Ford, I really appreciate this, but I'm not qualified." Ford responded "You're smart. You'll figure it out”
— Mike Malnicof (@MarvelousMike94) October 27, 2019
“You’ll figure it out” tells every Lions fan the mindset of the Ford family with their franchise.
Who needs anyone with experience, as the Ford family just expects their players, coaches, and other leadership figures to just figure it out.
Shelia Ford Hamp Is No Different From Other Ford Family Members
Shelia Ford Hamp shows she does not differ from William in managing the Lions.
She sent Stafford away, instead of giving him the players he needs.
The team also has a coach who is known as the guy that spent two years on the IR with Detroit as a player.
He will have to “figure it out” just like so many other Lions front office people under William Ford.
However, when he doesn’t think that the team needs an elite quarterback to excel as a team, it doesn’t seem promising.
So while fans should be upset with losing Stafford, the Ford family has given them over 50 years of things to be upset about.
Dumb article. Sheila has proven to be a better owner than her parents because of the Stafford trade alone. He asked to be traded and she accommodated him and worked a trade to the team of his choice. She could have been like parents with Barry and Calvin which caused them to retire early. She’s also been surrounding herself with ppl that know football in Barry and Speilman. While also hiring who some believe is a top up and coming gm