As the offseason marches along, eventually a contract is likely to come for Matthew Stafford. The Detroit Lions want to do a long-term deal with their quarterback, one that will keep him in place for seasons to come and improve the club’s cap position for this year. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press speculates that when it’s done, Stafford’s contract could top $100 million in total value. Stafford has been a regular at the club’s facility in Allen Park, Mich., this offseason, and that has not gone unnoticed. “There is not a guy that's done more for this franchise in this off-season than Matthew Stafford,†club president Tom Lewand said at the team's town hall meeting last week, according to Birkett. “The guy's been in the building every day. He's been living here the entire off-season. He's been working out, he's helped us recruit free agents, he's been involved on a daily basis in trying to get ready for the season, and he would do anything to help us be successful.†Source: National Football Post
obviously they need to lock this guy up long-term. however, the dude did rake in $40 mill in his first 4 years since being drafted and only gave the lions basically 2 and a half seasons on the field due to all of his injuries early on so technically he's been averaging about $16 mill per 'season' played, which is a ton for a young guy. I would be very inclined to try and make stafford accept an incentive-laden contract that only pays him huge money if he actually stays on the field.
