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

SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 07: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions looks to pass the ball during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Wild Card game at CenturyLink Field on January 7, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 07: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions looks to pass the ball during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Wild Card game at CenturyLink Field on January 7, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 28: Jeremy Ross #12 of the Detroit Lions celebrates his touchdown with Matthew Stafford #9 and teammates in the second quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 28, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Ron Antonelli/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 28: Jeremy Ross #12 of the Detroit Lions celebrates his touchdown with Matthew Stafford #9 and teammates in the second quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 28, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Ron Antonelli/Getty Images) /

Summary

Matthew Stafford deserves a new deal:

  • His numbers are similar to all of the men being paid at the top of the sport.
  • Stafford has been productive and made progress, especially in the last three years.
  • His 0-3 postseason mark is a fair criticism, as is the turnover problem that he had for several years.
  • The Lions have ranked near the bottom in rushing for almost his entire career.
  • Stafford has produced with and without Calvin Johnson.

Half of the top-paid QB’s lack large catalogs of playoff success.

Players like: Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals, (1-3), Phillip Rivers, Los Angeles Chargers, (4-5), and Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts, (3-3), are in the top ten, and they are a combined 8-11 in the playoffs.

Side note: Nine of the seventeen quarterbacks above him in salary have not won a Super Bowl ring, either. Only two of those have made an appearance at a Super Bowl. Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) was the last to do so in this past year’s installment.

Conclusion-Pay the Man

You must look at Stafford as he is now.

The 29 year-old, Detroit Lions starter: 2-to-1 TD-to-Interception ratio, completes 65-67% of his passes, and has over 4,000 yards annually. The second longest streak of 4,000 yard seasons EVER. Over 30,000 yards passing. Those are his individual performance measures.

I didn’t even discuss the drop rate of Detroit receivers, near the bottom every year.

What is important is production, and talent. Matthew Stafford possesses both.

Next: Are you a Kool-Aid Drinker or S.O.L. Detroit Lions fan?

In conclusion, the Lions brass will fork over a huge payday. They should, today he is one of the top ten quarterbacks in the NFL.