Over the weekend, news broke that Matt Stafford, one of the top available quarterbacks in 2021, was headed to a new team, and it was not the Denver Broncos. Thank goodness.

Quarterback play for the Broncos in 2020 left much to be desired. Whether you’re a ride-or-die fan with Drew Lock or a fan interested in an upgrade at the position, you should be relieved that Matt Stafford is on his way to Los Angeles and not Denver.

Matt Stafford is not awful. He’s just not the answer to what ails the Broncos under center. All-time, he is 74-90-1 in the regular season and 0-3 in the postseason. He made the Pro Bowl once in 2014 -- 7-years ago. Passing, he’s amassed 282 touchdowns with only 144 interceptions. It does need to be said that a good chunk of those 282 touchdowns were tossed to future hall-of-famer Calvin Johnson. His 89.9 career quarterback rating would have been an upgrade, but at what price?

The Los Angeles Rams sent two 1st-round picks (2022 and 2023), a 3rd-round pick (2021), and quarterback Jared Goff to Detroit to acquire Matt Stafford. If the Broncos are going to be playing in this sort of trade-stratosphere, use those picks to get someone who isn’t Matt Stafford. There is very little in Stafford’s past to justify this kind of haul for what will likely end up being a marginal upgrade at quarterback. Further, the Rams are reported to be comfortable in letting Stafford play out the rest of his 2-year/$43 million contract. The Rams are going to need to work out a contract extension with him or risk Stafford exiting in free agency while that Rams 2023 1st-round pick is still owed.

Nobody tell Los Angeles this, but Matt Stafford ain’t it, not at that price. If you’re going to mortgage the farm for the future, do it for someone who moves the needle enough to actually make a marketable difference. A 33-year old (on Thursday - Happy Birthday, Matt) with a career losing record, zero playoff wins, and a lone Pro Bowl appearance does not a Championship-caliber quarterback make. Now, if the Broncos want to make a play for Deshaun Watson...

HORSE TRACKS

Broncos were hesitant to give up Lock in Stafford trade? | Yardbarker
Broncos general manager George Paton was hesitant to part ways with Lock, which resulted in the Lions seeking out trade packages from other franchises.

3 surprise teams who could try to trade for Texans QB Deshaun Watson
The trade between the Detroit Lions and LA Rams revealed who else wants a starting QB. Could they come calling for the Houston Texans' Deshaun Watson?

Reviewing how Michael Ojemudia, Lloyd Cushenberry III and McTelvin Agim performed as rookies
We continue our evaluation series with a look at the Broncos’ three third-round picks from 2020.

Bears, Broncos, Panthers offered Lions first-rounder and more for Matthew Stafford, per report - CBSSports.com
The Rams were not the only team seriously interested in the quarterback

Report: Contract extension not part of deal for Matthew Stafford - ProFootballTalk

Matthew Stafford trade: Here's what the blockbuster deal means for Deshaun Watson and a potential Texans deal - CBSSports.com
Will Houston's demands go up after the Rams' trade? Here's an overview of the situation

Matthew Stafford reportedly nixed Patriots as trade destination prior to Lions trading him to Rams - CBSSports.com
New England may no longer be the player destination it once was

Jared Goff's physical is "coming soon" - ProFootballTalk

Jared Goff says he's excited to join a Lions team that 'wants and appreciates' him - CBSSports.com
Goff is looking forward to his next chapter

Falcons part ways with Nick Polk - ProFootballTalk

Report: Joe Barry, Ejiro Evero, Chris Harris interviewing with Packers - ProFootballTalk

FMIA: Bucs-Chiefs Super Bowl LV Preview + Lions-Rams Trade Analysis - Peter King, NBC Sports
Peter King's Football Morning In America column begins with a preview of the Bucs-Chiefs Super Bowl and includes analysis of Rams-Lions QB trade.

Patricia Rooney, wife of late Pittsburgh Steelers chairman, dies at 88
Patricia Rooney, the wife of late Pittsburgh Steelers chairman Dan Rooney, died peacefully at her home on Saturday at age 88, the team said.

Rams tried to trade for Aaron Rodgers before acquiring Matthew Stafford, but Packers refused, per report - CBSSports.com
Just don't tell Aaron