As he enters his contract year, the Lions badly want to get a new deal done with Matthew Stafford. Things are in the “early stages” still, but GM Bob Quinn says he’s “confident” about an extension. 
“Always have positive thinking,” Quinn told SiriusXM’s NASCAR radio (transcript via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). “But I’ve said this a bunch of times. It takes two sides to do a deal and I feel confident that we’ll get something done.”
Quinn’s comments are not dissimilar to remarks he made in early May. Although it doesn’t sound like negotiations have progressed a ton in the last six weeks, the Lions GM is still optimistic about something coming together in the late summer.
A new deal for Stafford could call for making him the highest paid player in the NFL with an average annual salary $25MM+ per season. Stafford has indicated a desire to stay in Detroit, but his team is likely waiting on potential new deals for Kirk Cousins and Derek Carr before agreeing to a new contract.
Last year, Stafford was among the best QBs in the league as he threw for 4,327 yards and 24 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. He had the tenth-best completion percentage in the league (65.3%) amongst qualified QBs and graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 9 signal caller. Stafford may not be the best QB in the NFL, but contracts are all about timing, and he is poised to cash in as the league’s highest-paid player.
Wow, Bob Quinn has really moved up the ladder quickly…
In Quinn We Trust.
I guess Martha Ford does, too, if she’s ceded ownership to him?
So far Quinn is 2/2 for drafts (unless Ruben Foster becomes an All Pro) and solid in free agency. What will really make his career is how he handles this Stafford contract.
I think he’s done a good job as GM…the original post listed him as the owner.
I’m exited to watch Teez play this year. I know CB’s rarely do well as rookies but I just want to see flashes and with our weak pass rush he will get a lot of chances.
Will be good to see him in preseason to see if his game speed measures up. If so, he could be a big addition!
The absolute smartest thing the Lions should have done was to trade Stafford to the Browns before the draft took place.Based on the absolute fact that the Patriots offered Jimmy Garrapollo for both number 1’s this year and a 2 this year,plus a 1 and a 3 in next years draft.The Browns admitted that they were still split, up to the morning of the draft,on whether to pull the trigger on this deal.They didn’t,but my point is this.If it was Stafford instead they would have pulled the trigger for sure.I can’t believe that this dumb-ass organization(Lions) blew an opportunity to rid themselves of this overrated QB(Stafford) and make deal that would have set them up for years to come.Instead no deal was made and they are going to make Stafford,a man who has never won the division in 8 years,is 0-3 in the playoffs and has the worst record of any starting QB in the NFL when playing teams with a .500 record or better on the road,the highest paid player in football.WOW-only the Lions