Matthew Stafford set to break record held by Johnny Unitas

Detroit Lions’ passer Matthew Stafford owns many records. Now he’s set to break one held by Johnny Unitas

When it comes to quarterback records for the Detroit Lions, Matthew Stafford owns most of them. The 32-year old passer who is entering his 12th season in the Motor City is about to break another. And for this one, he’ll be stepping in front of a Hall of Fame legend.

Looking at the Lions’ all-time records, Stafford’s name is peppered everywhere. He tops the list in franchise history for passing attempts (5,696), completions (3,559), passing yards (41,025), and passing touchdowns (256) … but surprising not interceptions. That record still belongs to Bobby Layne with 142 picks, although Stafford is in second with 134 while having played in 52 more games than Layne did in Detroit .

Stafford is also four games away from passing running back Barry Sanders (153) to take second in games played as a Lion all-time, currently sitting at 149. But the veteran passer is set to claim another record, this time breaking a current tie he holds with Hall of Fame passer, Johnny Unitas.

Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com recently revealed the record that Stafford is set to break early into the 2020 regular season when the team faces the Green Bay Packers.

"“Record breaking moment: Quarterback Matthew Stafford needs one touchdown pass to break a tie with Johnny Unitas (34) for the most touchdown passes against Green Bay in NFL history. Stafford gets his first chance to break that tie Week 2 at Lambeau Field.”"

Matthew Stafford breaking a Johnny Unitas record is meaningful

It can be argued that the NFL would not be what it is today without the contributions of Unitas. His play in what is now known as The Greatest Game Ever Played, when Unitas led the Baltimore Colts to the 1958 championship over the New York Giants in sudden death overtime, is credited for catapulting the league to an unprecedented level of popularity at the time.

One of the league’s true superstars and the man nicknamed the Golden Arm was a 10-time Pro Bowler during his illustrious 18-year career that spanned from 1956 to1973. Unitas would win a total of three NFL championships as well as Super Bowl V in 1971.

Breaking a record held by Johnny Unitas is no small feat. And Matthew Stafford is set to do so against the Packers when they face off at Lambeau Field on Sunday, September 20.

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For the Detroit Lions’ franchise quarterback, those kinds of accolades should continue to pile up as long as Matthew Stafford can stay healthy. With the 32-year old passer missing eight games last season due to a back injury, keeping Stafford protected needs to be priority number one for the Lions this year and beyond.