The Lions and Stafford have mutually agreed to explore trading him, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation. The person spoke Saturday to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team and Stafford had not announced the decision.
Stafford expressed an interest in being traded after the season, and the team tabled the idea until it hired a new general manager and coach, the person said. Stafford was on a call with Lions general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell earlier this week, according to the person, and they discussed moving on without each other.