The Detroit Lions are willing to make quarterback Matthew Stafford the highest-paid player in the NFL, saying they are determined to keep him “whatever it takes.” According to Lions team president Rod Wood, he’s comfortable making Stafford the highest player in the NFL, if that's what it takes to keep the quarterback.
"I'm comfortable in getting a deal done with him, and we'll see where that ends up," Wood told Michael Rothstein of ESPN.
The Oakland Raiders have made Derek Carr the NFL’s first $25-million man and the league’s highest-paid player, but he may not hold that distinction for too long if the Lions kept their commitment to Stafford.
Detroit General Manager Bob Quinn said he’s confident that a deal would be reached later in the summer.
A first overall pick by the Lions in 2009, Stafford will play the final season of the three-year, $53-million extension that he signed in 2013. The Lions are expected to sign Stafford to a long-term deal before the season starts. If not, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk said Stafford will get plenty of leverage over the Lions if he finishes the season without a long-term contract.
Stafford coming off the one of best years of his career
An eight-year veteran, the 29-year-old Stafford tossed for 4,327 yards with 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last season. With Stafford leading the way, the Lions tallied come-from-behind victories en route to a spot in the postseason.
The Lions made the playoffs as a wild card but fell to the Seattle Seahawks, 26-6, after Stafford struggled due to an injured middle finger on his throwing hand. He completed just 18 of 32 passes for 205 yards without a touchdown.
Wideout Golden Tate wants raise from Lions
Golden Tate has been one of the most productive receivers for the Lions over the last three seasons.
During that period, Tate caught 280 passes for 3,221 yards and 14 touchdowns. Tate signed a five-year, $31 million deal with the Lions in 2014. For the coming season, he will earn $6 million and will get a $1 million raise in 2018
In an interview with ESPN, Tate said he was underpaid and needs a raise, just like what the New England Patriots gave to Julian Edelman.
Edelman signed a multi-year contract extension worth $11 million, with $9 million in guaranteed money, with the Patriots that will keep him with the team through 2019. It was a significant raise for Edelman, who was scheduled to make $3 million in 2017, the final season of his four-year, $17 million contract that began in 2014.
Tate emphasized that he wants to stay with the Lions because of the team’s outstanding foundation but emphasized that he needs to be compensated property for his contribution to the team.
