Matthew Stafford may see another contract extension

When Stafford signed, his average salary was number one in the league with a $27 million dollar average. But as the numbers keep escalating, Stafford is now eighth on that list, and the top five quarterbacks have all broken the $30 million barrier (Source: Spotrac):

• Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
  • $35,000,000 average per season
• Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
  • $34,000,000 average per season
• Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
  • $33,500,000 average per season
• Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles
  • $32,000,000 average per season
• Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
  • $30,000,000 average per season

These salaries certainly make Stafford’s deal look more reasonable. It even has to make you wonder if Stafford won’t see another extension beyond the 2022 season. Samuelson also spoke to this point (06-10-19):

"“Once you have them you feel this need to hold on to them… It’s almost like you’re scared to let them go.”"

This is one of the big problems with this franchise. There is this overriding fear that if they make a change, it will inevitably blow up in their face. With just one playoff win in over six decades of play, this fear might be seen as reasonable.

But this quarterback issue is also of their own doing. The team has never spent high draft capital or free agent money to bring in a legitimate backup behind Matthew Stafford.

Over the past eight seasons, Stafford has shown himself to be an iron man. But, he also played some games he shouldn’t have because he was the only real option for the team. And this only made his injuries linger and worsen from week to week.