Matthew Stafford Deal Won’t Hide Other Lions Issues
By Erik Lambert
It was the least surprising thing in the world that the Detroit Lions made Matthew Stafford the highest-paid player in the NFL this year.
After all he’s the sole reason they’re even relevant in the league right now. His eight 4th quarter comebacks in 2016 that somehow got them to the playoffs is proof positive of that. The guy is one of the best quarterbacks in the league and that’s pretty much all the Lions have going for them. Take a look at the rest of their roster and it’s not exactly an overwhelming sight.
The offense around him is made up of decent players but no stars, a lingering fact ever since Calvin Johnson left. On defense it’s pretty much Ezekiel Ansah, Darius Slay and Glover Quin. That’s about it. Their ugly loss in Seattle last year and thrashing from New England during the third week of preseason reinforces how critical Stafford is.
"“Detroit and Matthew Stafford agreed to terms on a five-year contract, the team announced Monday evening. The deal is worth $135 million with $92 million in guarantees, making Stafford the highest-paid player in the league, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source informed of the deal. The $27 million-per-year average surpasses a deal signed earlier this summer by Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, which pays the Oakland passer an annual average of $25 million.”"
Stafford has been around since 2009 and is still just 29-years old. He’s got several good years ahead of him. If Detroit can somehow build a proper roster around him, they should be in the Super Bowl conversation. He’s been that good. Sadly, for one reason or another, that just hasn’t happened. There’s still time, but then again the Lions don’t have the best track record for this. They’re battling a long, woeful history right now.