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Lions looking to extend Matthew Stafford’s contract

By David Austin Bumpus

Jan 3, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws a pass in the first quarter of their game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws a pass in the first quarter of their game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Lions are looking to keep star quarterback Matthew Stafford in their plans, as they hope to extend his expiring contract soon.

Matthew Stafford has been a mainstay for the Detroit Lions for the last eight years, and the team’s ownership is hoping to keep the quarterback under center for the them for years to come.

In an appearance on SiriusXM NFL radio on Wednesday, Lions general manager Bob Quinn said that the team began contract talks with Stafford’s agents, and expressed confidence that the deal would work out.

“We’re in the early stages,” Quinn said. “It’s really too early to kind of give any update but we’re going through the process. These things don’t happen overnight.”

Stafford currently has one year left on his current deal, which is set to give him a base salary of $16.5 million to wrap up his five-year, $76.5 million deal from 2013. Stafford has earned $110.8 million in his career since the 2009 NFL Draft, the last draft before the rookie salary cap began.

The quarterback, just 29 years old, has amassed 30,303 passing yards in his career with 187 touchdowns and 108 interceptions.

In 2016, Stafford was affected by a lingering finger injury to his throwing hand, but still threw for 4,327 yards, along with 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The team went 9-7, and appeared in the NFC Wild Card round. The season before, Stafford threw for 4,262 yards with 32 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in a healthy season.

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There is the possibility that the Lions and Quinn will use the franchise tag on Stafford after his deal wraps up following this season, but the team is more interested in signing the quarterback to something more long-term.

While the talks are just starting and ongoing, the idea that the Lions are pursuing an extension with a successful Stafford should put fans in Detroit at ease as they look to take over the NFC North this season.

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