Matthew Stafford’s contract extension has everyone focused on the dollars but when is playing football for the Detroit Lions not just about the money?
Detroit Lions Quarterback Matthew Stafford has a good chance to make more money playing football than anyone in history.
Former sports agent Joel Corry explained how Stafford could realistically eclipse $300 million in football earnings over his career. Spotrac lists Stafford’s earnings to date at $110,778,969.00.
That is certainly serious coin.
But what if Stafford’s new contract really does not have everything to do with being the highest paid player in the NFL? And what does Lions’ safety Glover Quin have to do with this conversation?
Let’s first consider the fact that the Lions have an uncomfortable history of marquee players leaving the team prematurely.
Throughout the 2014 season, Detroit had the opportunity to extend the contract of Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. There was optimism expressed by all until, ultimately, Suh bolted for greener pastures in Miami. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press did a great job of documenting the pertinent points of that process in “…an exit interview of sorts…”.
"Lions former president Tom Lewand said in that article, “…He obviously accepted the deal in Miami that was for significantly more money than what we were offering, which again was to make him the highest-paid defensive player in the league…”"
Okay. So Suh left for more money.
Our own Michael Kirkland explored the ramifications of a similar thing happening to Stafford in this article last week.
Related Story: Detroit Lions: What if Matthew Stafford magically disappears?
Let’s move on to last year, when Lions receiver Calvin Johnson retired. He recently was quoted in an ESPN.com article saying…
"“I didn’t see the chance for them to win a Super Bowl at the time, and for the work I was putting in, it wasn’t worth my time to keep on beating my head against the wall and not going anywhere.”"
There have been numerous reports detailing Johnson’s decision to leave and the aftermath of that decision. The point is that not one quote from Calvin Johnson indicated that it was because he was not paid enough money or that he wanted a bigger contract. Instead, he simply felt frustrated with Detroit’s inability to win.
That was certainly hard for fans. Not as difficult as our next example, though.
On July 27th, 1999, the Wichita Eagle released an exclusive statement from Lions’ Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders, announcing his retirement.
From his book, Barry Sanders Now You See Him… Sanders explained that when Detroit traded Lion’s center Kevin Glover to the Seattle Seahawks.
"“…I didn’t realize it at the time, but part of me left with him…”. Sanders also said that, “…the realization that some of the people that you worked for weren’t as committed to winning as you were slammed me harder than any linebacker had ever hit me in my career.”"
Barry said himself that it was not about the money.
At the time of his retirement, that motivation was questioned. Not anymore. We understand and believe him now, right? It was always about the commitment to winning.
So why don’t we just take Matthew Stafford at his word?
He really isn’t involved in his contract negotiations. That is his agent’s job.
He really doesn’t care when other quarterbacks around the NFL sign big contracts.
He is focused on working with his teammates to get better.
He’s made enough money that he can do pretty much what he wants. And he is going to make even more. A boatload more.
He just wants to go out and play football.
Next: Detroit Lions: Best case, worst case for three key positions
Then what does Glover Quin’s recent contract extension have to do with Matthew Stafford? Maybe nothing. On the other hand, maybe it is simply a subtle message to Stafford that the Detroit Lions organization is indeed now committed to winning.