Matthew Stafford has more time, money to help Lions win

AP photo by Rick Osentoski / Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has had to change his routine during offseason throwing sessions with teammates amid the coronavirus pandemic. AP photo by Rick Osentoski / Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has had to change his routine during offseason throwing sessions with teammates amid the coronavirus pandemic.

By Associated Press August 29, 2017 4 min read

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) – Matthew Stafford has more time, and money, to accomplish what the Detroit Lions drafted him to do for the franchise.

The Lions gave the standout quarterback a five-year extension worth $135 million, keeping him under contract through 2022. The franchise desperately hopes he can return the investment and help it have success in the playoffs that has been elusive.

Stafford’s contract surpassed what was – briefly – the richest deal in the league. Derek Carr signed a $125 million, five-year deal earlier this summer with the Oakland Raiders.

Detroit drafted Stafford No. 1 overall in 2009 and he has led the team’s transformation from league laughingstock to being relatively respectable. He guided them to the playoffs last season, for the third time in six seasons, but has been unable to stop a playoff drought that has lasted a quarter of a century.

And he hasn’t pushed the team any closer to winning an NFL title for the first time since 1957.