Detroit Lions fans: Stop the nonsense about Matthew Stafford

The Detroit Lions’ fans need to stop playing games. Matthew Stafford’s re-signing was worth it, in spite of the huge amount of money.

The Detroit Lions played in their fourth and final preseason on Thursday night, falling to Buffalo Bills. But enough about that.

I need to take a moment to straighten out some people out there, because I’ve reached the end of my rope. Yes, you crazies out there, I’m talking to you: the Lions had to re-sign quarterback Matthew Stafford, no matter the cost. I’ve got a few reasons why, before you trash me on Twitter or in the comment’s section, hear me out.

Reason #1

Stafford is easily the best quarterback that the Lions have had in my lifetime. It’s not even close, either. And I’m in my forties. Letting a guy like Stafford walk would be the most Lionsy (it’s a word in my house, deal with it) thing to ever happen. How can we justify not paying him and pulling someone else’s retread off the streets? There are people trying, so, on to…

Reason #2

By signing Stafford, the Lions have shown a commitment to success. In the past, our team has let great players walk, sending the message to the other stars on the team that winning didn’t matter. Think former left tackle Lomas Brown and his line-mate, center Kevin Glover.

The Lions failure to re-sign those guys helped push the great Barry Sanders into an early retirement. Former wide receiver Calvin Johnson also cited the Lions’ lack of effort in keeping a winning squad together when he retired early.

Reason #3

Sabermetrics guys will keep telling us that the Lions just overpaid Stafford. They are right. The fact that he’s the Lions best player doesn’t mean he should be the highest paid player in the league. What they fail to realize, or understand, is that all the other options out there are just as overpaid. Those same pundits say that, by the end of this season, there will be better options are available for cheaper.

Some of those available, according to Overthecap.com, are guys like Minnesota’s Sam Bradford and the Dolphin’s Jay Cutler. Another is the Saint’s great Drew Brees, who recently turned 75. At this stage of their careers, I’d take Stafford over any of them. While Stafford’s career may never match Brees’, Stafford is only 29. Unlike Bradford and Cutler, Stafford is actually good. Go ahead, pundits. You can keep your Sam Bradford.

Reason #4

Let’s say that Stafford was not re-signed, and the Lions let him test the market. Do you think that the Cleveland Browns or the Jacksonville Jaguars wouldn’t have signed him to a huge deal? Those teams are desperate for quality quarterback play.

A team like the Houston Texans—with their ferocious defense—would become immediate championship contenders with a quarterback like Stafford. The Lions would have lost out, leaving pinning our hopes on the draft.

The draft—especially for quarterbacks—is a huge crapshoot. The Lions have rolled through dozens of quarterbacks through the draft, and only one has been even average: Matthew Stafford.

Reason #5

I’ve already admitted it: the Lions are overpaying the man. However, the quarterback market is so volatile that he won’t be the highest paid player in the league for long. Washington Redskins’ quarterback Kirk Cousins—easily in the same tier of QB’s as Stafford—could be looking at the biggest contract in NFL history in the spring.

Reigning league MVP Atlanta Falcon quarterback Matt Ryan is going to be looking for a deal soon, and will break the bank when he signs. When Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers signs again in a few years, Stafford’s contract will look like peanuts.

Next: Detroit Lions tie up loose ends before regular season

I’ve said my piece. Yes, he’s overpaid, but letting Matthew Stafford walk would have set the Detroit Lions’ franchise back years. That’s simply not a risk worth taking. That’s why, as real Lions’ fan, you need to be glad Detroit re-signed the franchise quarterback.