No, the Dallas Cowboys Shouldn’t Trade for Matthew Stafford

The debate is inevitable. With Dak Prescott entering another offseason where his long-term contractual status is uncertain, many will begin to think the Dallas Cowboys could do better at quarterback by looking elsewhere.

You’ve already seen the debate about whether the Cowboys should trade Prescott for Deshaun Watson, even though there’s an argument to be made that Prescott is the better quarterback. As Adam Schefter reported on Saturday, it looks like the Detroit Lions and Matthew Stafford are looking to move on from each other this offseason.

Breaking: The Lions and QB Matthew Stafford are expected to part ways this offseason, with Detroit listening to trade offers starting next week, per @AdamSchefter. pic.twitter.com/SPk6cFMdZY

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 23, 2021

While Stafford might make sense for an NFL team out there, it makes little sense for the Dallas Cowboys moving forward.

First of all, the Cowboys would be forced to give up assets for a quarterback five years older than Dak Prescott. Stafford’s a good quarterback, don’t get me wrong, but what has he done exactly that makes him an upgrade over Dak Prescott in 2021 and in the future?

And at 32 years old with just two years left on his deal, Stafford could be in line for his own long-term contract extension either this offseason with his new team or next. With QB money continuing to skyrocket, Stafford and his representatives will see an opportunity to cash in on a lucrative deal at least one more time.

Or as Pash (@TheAmir) said on Twitter.

“Also, does anyone think that Stafford won’t want an extension from the new team? He’s got two modest years left. And if you give up resources to get him, you’re gonna invest so that he doesn’t leave.”

So the Cowboys give up picks or your best asset in Dak Prescott to get a quarterback older than him, and this year or next, the Cowboys have to pay him. And probably what they would have had to pay Prescott on a per-year basis or more.

I’m just not sure what he’s done that makes him a better option than Dak Prescott.

The Lions, with Stafford at quarterback, have more losing seasons than they do winning seasons. Wins are a team stat, but you’d expect them to be better than that with a quarterback who is seemingly as good as Stafford has been in his career.

In 12 seasons, Matthew Stafford has had a passer rating over 90, only 58.3% of the time (seven seasons). Dak Prescott has had a passer rating over 90 four out of his first five seasons or 80% of the time. Each has had a passer rating better than 100 in a season once, but Prescott has two seasons with 99.7 and 99.6 passer ratings.

Looking at ESPN’s Total QBR, Prescott has had three seasons with a QBR above 70. Stafford has had just one season. Prescott’s 55.2 Total QBR in 2018, his worst season in terms of this statistic, would rank seventh among all of Stafford’s. Prescott’s 2016, 2019, and 2020 are each better than Stafford’s best season.

Here’s a deep dive from ESPN on how they compute Total QBR.

Matthew Stafford will end up on a team that is a quarterback away. The San Francisco 49ers make a lot of sense. The Dallas Cowboys, however, don’t make sense.

Dak Prescott is a better quarterback than Matthew Stafford is at this point in their careers. Prescott’s younger and has already been better than Stafford. And the best thing…

Dak Prescott is in his prime and still improving.