The Detroit Lions and superstar quarterback Matthew Stafford are reportedly not close to agreeing on a contract.
NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday, “Discussed Matthew Stafford contract on @nflnetwork: They’re actively talking, but my understanding is there’s still a pretty substantial gap.”
Discussed Matthew Stafford contract on @nflnetwork: They’re actively talking, but my understanding is there’s still a pretty substantial gap
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 1, 2017
The season is right around the corner, and there is nothing stopping the greatest quarterback in Lions history from walking away from the team as soon as the 2017-2018 season comes to an end.
This is a disturbing sign, and it might be time to raise the alert readiness to DEFCON 2.
Contracts extensions not finished up before training camp rarely end well. If the Lions management let Stafford walk because they wouldn’t pay him $30 million a year, then they’re idiots of epic proportions.
Last season the Texas-born gunslinger led eight fourth-quarter comebacks. The Lions went 9-7, so it stands to reason that the Lions could have easily gone 1-15 without him. For the love of everything that is right and good in this world, please get his signature on some paperwork.
Paying him anything less than $30 million a year is a complete bargain. Of course, the Lions are known for driving away their best players. Hopefully Stafford doesn’t follow the paths of Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson by disappearing from the Motor City with so much left on the table.