Stafford and the Lions have mutually agreed to part ways this offseason, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stafford expressed his desire for a fresh start, and the Lions have agreed to grant that request. In turn, the team will look for a trade partner this offseason. Stafford was impressive once again in 2020, completing 64 percent of his passes for 4,084 yards (7.7 YPA), 26 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The 32-year-old is a known commodity and would be a valuable addition to a contender. He has three years remaining on his contract, and he'll carry a $20 million cap hit in 2021 if he's traded, according to Field Yates of ESPN. The Lions still have quarterbacks Chase Daniel and David Blough under contract next season, and they hold the No. 7 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Stafford completed 20 of 31 passes for 293 yards with three touchdowns and one interception during Sunday's 37-35 loss to Minnesota. He added nine rushing yards on two attempts.

EDGE Analysis

Toughing out ankle, rib and thumb injuries, Stafford put forth an admirable effort despite a third-quarter interception that may have been the difference in the game. He probably should have had a fourth touchdown pass, but a third-quarter bomb to Marvin Jones was overturned on review and Stafford will close the books on the 2020 season with 4,093 passing yards and 26 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. However, despite those respectable numbers plus the fact that Stafford remains under contract through 2023, it's not certain that the 32-year-old gunslinger will return to Detroit next season. With the organization in the market for both a new head coach and general manager, it's possible the Lions - who owe Stafford a $10 million bonus on the fifth day of the 2021 league year - will bring in decision-makers that prefer to groom a younger option. Adding more uncertainty to Stafford's offseason is his rehab from his injuries, but the quarterback at least doesn't believe he'll need surgery to address the ligament damage in his thumb, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

Stafford (ankle/rib/thumb) is active for Sunday's game against the Vikings.

EDGE Analysis

Stafford has been limping through the stretch run of yet another lost season, but despite dealing with a trio of injuries over the past month, he's only 209 yards shy of the eighth 4,000-yard campaign of his career. On the other side, Minnesota boasts the 24th-ranked pass defense (256.9 yards per game) and will be without four starters, so Stafford has a great chance to get there, assuming he makes it through the contest unscathed.

Stafford (ankle/rib/thumb), who is listed as questionable, is expected to play Sunday against the Vikings, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 32-year-old was deemed likely to play Friday despite being listed as questionable on the injury report, and his outlook remains unchanged halfway through the weekend. The Lions and Vikings have already been eliminated from the playoff picture, but Stafford still plans to gut it out for the season finale. The veteran has been banged up for much of the 2020 campaign, but he'll have started all 16 games for the ninth time in 10 years if he's cleared to start Sunday.

Stafford (ankle/rib/thumb), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Vikings, appears likely to play, Chris Burke of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stafford was already playing through a pair of injuries when an ankle sprain knocked him out of his team's Week 16 loss to Tampa Bay. He seems content to continue playing if he's physically capable, hoping to start all 16 games for the ninth time in the past 10 seasons. Questionable for Week 17 after back-to-back limited practices, Stafford will have an excellent matchup if he plays, taking on a slumping Minnesota defense that has four starters ruled out for Week 17. The Lions will turn to Chase Daniel or David Blough at quarterback if Stafford is held out or doesn't finish the game.

Stafford (ankle/rib/thumb) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Vikings.

EDGE Analysis

Stafford was a limited practice participant Thursday and Friday, hoping to make a 16th start despite the recent addition of an ankle sprain to his list of injuries. Interim head coach Darrell Bevell said Thursday that he has "no doubt" Stafford will play, but for fantasy purposes it's probably best to treat the veteran quarterback as a game-time call ahead of Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff. Chase Daniel and David Blough both received playing time after Stafford was knocked out of last week's 47-7 loss to the Buccaneers.

The Lions listed Stafford (ankle/rib/thumb) as a limited participant at Thursday's practice.

EDGE Analysis

Despite interim head coach Darrell Bevell stating prior to the session that Stafford wouldn't practice for the second day in a row, the veteran quarterback was evidently able to do more Thursday than the Lions anticipated. While Stafford is likely managing considerable pain while tending to an assortment of injuries, the 32-year-old looks like he'll attempt to do everything in his power to play Sunday against the Vikings, even with little at stake for the 5-10 Lions. For what it's worth, Bevell isn't counting out Stafford, telling Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press "there's not a doubt in mind" the signal-caller will be ready to go by the weekend.

Stafford (ankle) won't participate in Thursday's practice, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

After exiting early in last week's loss to the Buccaneers with a right ankle sprain, Stafford has now missed consecutive practices as the Lions prepare for Sunday's season finale versus the Vikings. Though Stafford has also battled rib and right thumb injuries in recent weeks in addition to the ankle sprain, the Lions aren't yet ruling him out from playing Sunday, despite the team having little at stake in Week 17. Backup quarterbacks Chase Daniel and David Blough will continue to take reps at practice this week to stay prepared to start in the event Stafford can't gain clearance for the finale.

Stafford (ankle) won't practice Wednesday, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per Meinke, Stafford has said that he wants to play in the Lions' season finale Sunday against the Vikings, but with the team out of playoff contention, there's no real incentive to rush the quarterback back to action this weekend. With an absence on tap in the Lions' first Week 17 practice, Stafford now has two more chances to get back on the field before Detroit's final injury report of the the season is submitted Friday. Chase Daniel or David Blough would be the candidates to start the season finale if Stafford can't go.

Stafford (ankle) hopes to suit up against the Vikings in Week 17, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stafford was forced out of Saturday's loss to the Buccaneers after suffering an ankle sprain on the first drive, and he toughed out a rib-cartilage injury and a slight ligament tear in his right thumb during the Lions' previous two games. He doesn't anticipate undergoing offseason surgery to address the injury in his thumb, per Justin Rogers of The Detroit News. Stafford is set to undergo a medical evaluation Wednesday before the Lions make a call on his status for Week 17, but given Detroit is eliminated from playoff contention, it could make sense to simply sit the veteran signal-caller and preserve his health for 2021.