Detroit Lions: 5 offseason needs in 2019

By Jon Dove | Feb 25, 2019

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 10: Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) kneels during an injury timeout during a regular season game between the New York Jets and the Detroit Lions on September 10, 2018 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 30: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions warms up before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 30, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Quarterback

Matthew Stafford has enjoyed a successful career with the Detroit Lions. He frequently has 4,000-passing yard seasons, but his strong numbers have not resulted in enough winning seasons. Stafford isn’t solely to blame as the front office and others have played a role.

The issue with Stafford is the amount of money he is being paid versus his success. He has a salary cap hit of $29.5 million, $31.5 million and $30 million over the next three seasons. Those numbers can limit the amount of money the Lions could use elsewhere.

Stafford will be in Detroit for at least the next two years. However, the Lions could move on after the 2020 season, resulting in only $10 million in dead cap money for Detroit should Stafford be released.

The Lions might want to start thinking of the big picture as soon as this year. Detroit’s backup quarterback situation is a problem, and veteran Matt Cassel is slated to hit free agency. The only other player on the roster is Connor Cook who is currently signed to a futures contract.

Detroit could look to draft a mid-round quarterback with the hopes of developing him into Stafford’s eventual replacement.

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