Lions, Stafford Agree to Record-Setting Contract Extension

DETROIT, MI — Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, for now, is the highest paid player in NFL history. On Monday, the QB signed a contract extension worth $27 million a year and $135 million over the next five seasons.

Sports writers around Detroit this morning reacted warmly to the contract extension, saying that it’s a good move for both the franchise and Stafford. And while the franchise's record has not been great during Stafford's eight-year tenure, the deal provides continuity for the team.

Bob Wojnowskki, of the Detroit News, noted that the Lions had no choice to do the deal. “Stafford doesn’t rank among the NFL’s elite. But he’s still only 29, he’s improving, and he clearly wants to be here,” Wojnowski wrote. “And it’s only been about 60 years or so since the Lions had a reliable, dynamic quarterback capable of scaring defenses.”

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Stafford’s reign on NFL history in terms of salary likely will be short-lived, said Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, saying that Drew Brees and Kirk Cousins as free agents could start a bidding war for their services. While Stafford doesn’t have a stellar record as a starting QB — at 51-61 and 0-3 in the postseason — he still represents the best future for the team.

“Stafford was the most surefire way to keep the Lions contenders into the foreseeable future,” Birkett wrote. “And doing so now was the cheapest way to get it done.”

Stafford’s contract extension surpasses a five-year extension, $125 million signed by Oakland Raiders QB Derek Carr earlier this summer.

So Lions' fan: Is Stafford worth $27 million a season? Let us know by leaving your opinions in the comments below.

Image by the Associated Press