Ever since his rookie season, Detroit Lions’ quarterback Matthew Stafford has been seen as an elite NFL quarterback. However, with nine seasons in the NFL and no Super Bowl to show for it, doubt might creep in when it comes to his value to the Lions. With the 2017 NFL season about to start, questions have risen about a new contract for Stafford but the Lions’ signal caller is not worried about that right now. In an interview with ESPN after a minicamp session on Wednesday, Matthew said that he is not worried about the contract right now and just wants to get ready to win.
Matthew Stafford’s contract
Matthew Stafford is playing under a three-year, $53 million contract that expires in 2018. While that seems like a lot of money, his average salary is $17.6 million a year, which ranks 17th in the NFL for his position. Names like Sam Bradford (Minnesota Vikings), Brock Osweiler (Cleveland Browns), Ryan Tannehill (Miami Dolphins), and Kirk Cousins (Washington Redskins) make more money per year than Stafford.
When asked about other players contracts, Stafford said that he doesn’t concern himself with what other players do. Matthew said that he goes out and just tries to get better on the football field. He said that is all he can say because all that matters to him is playing football.
Stafford said he wants to help the Detroit Lions win and that is all he cares about right now.
The NFL comparisons
The reason for the Matthew Stafford contract questions is that two names are about to get big money deals. One is Kirk Cousins. While Cousins is making $23.9 million this season, that is because is was hit with the franchise tag for the second year in a row by the Washington Redskins.
There is no way the Redskins do it a third time because that would cost over $30 million so next year Cousins will sign a huge deal with another team – probably the San Francisco 49ers.
Another player is Derek Carr. The Oakland Raiders quarterback is playing out his rookie contract and is making an average of $1.3 million a season.
Carr has turned the Raiders into Super Bowl contenders and will warrant a huge deal when his time comes – also in 2018. Carr will get the big deal and likely be one of the Top 5 paid quarterbacks in the NFL – something that the Detroit Lions and Matthew Stafford will look at when the time comes.
Few quarterbacks have enjoyed the on-field success that Matthew Stafford has – at least when it comes to his numbers. Stafford has thrown for over 4,000 yards in six consecutive seasons and even eclipsed the 5,000-yard mark back in 2011. He continued with his success in 2016, even after Calvin Johnson retired. In 2016, Stafford had a career low 10 interceptions and led his Lions to the playoffs. However, once again, the Detroit Lions lost in the postseason and that might be what the Lions look at when offering him a new deal.
