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Let’s just say Matthew Stafford is still a Detroit Lion at age 40…

By Payne Schanski

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 11: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions leaves the field after the Lions defeated the Chicago Bears 20-17. Stafford scored the game winning touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on December 11, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 11: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions leaves the field after the Lions defeated the Chicago Bears 20-17. Stafford scored the game winning touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on December 11, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 30: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions watches a replay in the second quarter in the game between the Houston Texans and the Detroit Lions at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 30: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions watches a replay in the second quarter in the game between the Houston Texans and the Detroit Lions at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images) /

If Stafford remains a Lion until he’s 40…

The playoff curse ends. How could it not? Assuming the Lions find their way into the playoffs every other year or so (which is slowly becoming more of the norm), that gives Stafford another five or six chances to get the elusive playoff win(s) necessary to cement his legacy as an all-time Lions great. At least two of those playoff opportunities would have to be in the friendly confines of Ford Field, because…

Aaron Rodgers will have to retire at some point. Right? Right? Please agree with me that this is right. And when this happens, how lucky would the Packers have to be to hit the lottery on three consecutive quarterbacks?

No, when Rodgers leaves, the Packers are due for at least twenty years or so of prime Matt Flynns. Thanksgiving 2013 Matt Flynns, not New Year’s 2012 ones. Needed to clarify that.

If not before, then once Rodgers finally calls it quits, Detroit will soon have some shiny new NFC North Champion banners to go next to the Playoff Participant ones. I have to believe that.

Stafford becomes the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards.

Well maybe not, but he’ll at least crack the top 5 unless the NFL reconsiders some of its current offense-friendly rules in the meantime. With over 30,000 yards already, Stafford would pass the 75,000 mark as a 40 year old if he keeps up this pace.

Certain sections of this fan base will say that all those passing yards are meaningless.

Every last one of them. Stafford inherits an 0-16 team, sticks around for two decades, and every passing yard is ‘Statford’ and meaningless because he’s not Tom Brady. You guys aren’t particularly fun.

A Super Bowl at least then, maybe two? Ugh. This reminds me of a scene from season three of The Office. Perpetual ‘Assistant (to the) Regional Manager’ Dwight Schrute  is going back and forth in banter with Jim, talking about Jim’s imagined stay in “Hotel Hell”.

The scene gets away from Schrute a little bit, and Jim points out that Dwight doesn’t even get to be the manager in his own fantasy. Not even the manager of a hotel in Hell.

Next: Matthew Stafford’s Top 5 Game Winning Drives

I’m not promising a Lions Super Bowl within a decade, not even in my own fantasy.

However, if Matthew Stafford does indeed stay with the Lions until he’s 40…

His birthday celebration in Detroit would be bigger than the queen’s.

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