Report: Matthew Stafford told Lions he'd accept trade to any team but Patriots

The Detroit Lions shocked the NFL community on Saturday by trading Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for Jared Goff and draft picks. 

Several teams were in on Stafford, including the Washington Football Team, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers and Indianapolis Colts, according to Peter King of NBC Sports. 

The New England Patriots were expected to be among the NFL's top suitors for Stafford. However, according to Tom E. Curran of NBC Sports Boston, the veteran quarterback told the Lions they could trade him anywhere but New England. 

It's not surprising that Stafford didn't want a trade to the Patriots. For one, New England has one of the worst receiving groups in the NFL and is about to enter a rebuilding period. Second, the team rehired Matt Patricia, who ran the Lions into the ground before being fired by the franchise before the 2020 season was over. Lastly, Stafford wouldn't have been able to fill the hole Tom Brady left at quarterback, making for a very unhappy fan base. 

According to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, Stafford preferred to be traded out West, anyway. 

BetOnline.ag puts the Patriots 2022 Super Bowl winner odds at a meek +2500, while the post-Stafford trade Rams come in at a much more promising +1200.  

It's unclear what the Patriots plan to do at quarterback for the 2021 season. The situation is one of the biggest mysteries in the NFL. They could make a trade, sign a QB in free agency or draft one in April. 

New England could also bring back Cam Newton, but ESPN's Adam Schefter reported in early January that the two sides are expected to part ways this offseason.