How This Affects the Lions
Circle around to our Lions. John Matthew “Matt” Stafford is in the process of receiving an extension, as mentioned prior. Although this is a divisive issue among fans, the 9th year signal-caller has produced big numbers and has shown glimpses of being an elite player.
How Matthew Stafford Stacks Up
Currently, Stafford is making about $17 million per season, according to Over The Cap, a website focused on NFL salaries and analysis.
This salary slots him as the 17th highest-paid quarterback in the NFL, behind many accomplished quarterbacks but also including: Ryan Tannehill (Miami Dolphins), who has 37 pro wins, and Brock Osweiler (currently of the Cleveland Browns), who has 13 wins. By contrast, Stafford has 51 wins.
Derek Carr, Andrew Luck (Indianapolis Colts), Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints), Kirk Cousins (Washington Redskins), Joe Flacco (Baltimore Ravens), Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers), Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks), Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), Carson Palmer (Arizona Cardinals), and Eli Manning (New York Giants), round out the top ten highest quarterback salaries. Even among these names, Stafford’s play and talent has similarities in quality.
Tannehill and Osweiler are less accomplished but still have higher salaries, another indication that it is time to offer a new deal. Tom Brady, of the world champion New England Patriots, is also one of the players ahead of Stafford, in case you were wondering. Tommy makes $20.5 million per year right now.
Other Notable Paydays Coming
Stafford isn’t the only passer looking for a new deal. Drew Brees, Kirk Cousins, Sam Bradford (Minnesota Vikings), Jimmy Garoppolo (New England Patriots) are all in the last year of their current deals and are seeking big money.
Kirk Cousins is an odd case, as the Redskins have asked him to play under a franchise tag, a one-year deal meant to give a team time to negotiate a deal, for a second year without a longer deal. The deadline to make such a long-term deal has passed for tagged players.
Reportedly, they were offering him a five year, $110 million dollar contract extension, per Ian Rapoport, an NFL reporter. If he were allowed to go to the open market, though, the 28 year-old would likely do better from a dollars standpoint.
Brees is the only one of those currently negotiating more money that has won a Super Bowl. All will likely be paid in excess of the $25 million that Derek Carr received. That’s how those things usually work; first guy sets the starting price for the subsequent contracts.
Aaron Rodgers is one of a handful of players that will ask his team to “bring the Brink’s truck”, for them in 2018. How loaded with money will those contracts be? Who knows.