The Detroit Lions are trying to work out a long-term contract extension for nine-year quarterback, Matthew Stafford. Preferably, this takes place before the start of training camp. Team general manager Bob Quinn says he’s “confident” a deal will get done.
Stafford could wind up the highest paid NFL player to date, which is something Detroit’s president Rob Wood would have no problem with.
“I’m comfortable in getting a deal done with him, and we’ll see where that ends up,” Wood told ESPN. “It’s going to be whatever it takes, I think, to make it happen from both sides, and whether he becomes the highest-paid or not, it’ll be a short-lived designation because, as [general manager] Bob [Quinn] said, and I think it’s true, if you’re in the top whatever of quarterbacks, when your time comes up, your time comes up and then somebody else’s time comes up, and they become the highest-[paid player].”
The key words there are “short-lived designation,” of course. But the fact that the Lions highest ranking personnel are comfortable doing what it takes to lock up Stafford — no matter the cost — speaks volumes.
If the Lions manage to secure a new deal with Stafford before training camp, the trickle-down impact will set a new bar.
The Oakland Raiders are also in the process of extending quarterback Derek Carr’s contract — one that could exceed $25 million per year. Carr is currently grossly underpaid compared to nearly every other starting NFL quarterback.
As for Stafford, he is entering the final year of a three-year, $53 million deal he signed in 2015. He is one of the most consistent and durable quarterbacks in the league and is in his prime. To date, he has produced 30,303 passing yards and 187 touchdowns.
Furthermore, Stafford has absolutely thrived the last two seasons working under offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter. Soon enough, a deal will be struck, and the Lions could indeed make Stafford the highest-paid player in the NFL, at least for now.