Detroit Lions: Is Matthew Stafford the $25 Million Dollar Man?

Pros (Stafford is a Top QB)

Likely, if you read the Cons section and thought, “What else matters?”, this section may not change your mind. Hopefully, though, you are continuing to read because you have an open mind. Or maybe you want to make fun of Stafford slappies.

Concessions

Looking at his numbers, and the situation as a whole, you have to make some concessions to Stafford defenders aside from the points in the previous section.

One, he was drafted by the worst team ever, record-wise, to ever play in the NFL. The 2008 Lions won zero games, if that has somehow slipped your mind. The entire roster was bereft of talent. That didn’t change the next year, either.

Second, he is on his third offensive coordinator. Coaching changes often derail progress of teams; quarterbacks are often most affected.

Third, the defense has only been ranked in the top ten in points or yards ONCE in his career, in 2014.

Fourth, the Lions have had a total of one 1,000 yard rusher, Reggie Bush (1,006 yards in 2013), in Stafford’s career to provide balance to the offense and take pressure off of his considerable right arm.

The Lions were ranked 30th in rushing during the 2016 campaign.