Sports

It’s Time To Start Panicking About Matthew Stafford’s Contract Negotiations

(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

David Hookstead Sports And Entertainment Editor
Font Size:

The Detroit Lions are in serious trouble with Matthew Stafford’s contract extension.

Stafford is the greatest quarterback in team history, and one of the best quarterbacks currently in the league. Finding a great quarterback in the NFL is about as easy as finding a unicorn walking down the street. You’d think this would be enough to get the Lions to zip this situation up quickly. Well, apparently it’s not, and Stafford doesn’t sound too pleased.

“I haven’t made any determination on that,” the Texas-native gunslinger replied when asked if he’d be willing to continue negotiations once the season starts, according to the Detroit Free Press.

(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 18: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions drops back to pass during the first quarter of the preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Ford Field on August 18, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

He also added, “I told you guys the last time we talked about this, I had no expectations going into it. I’m doing myself and our team a disservice if that’s what I’m worried about. I truly am letting the guys upstairs here and my agent hash it all out and I’m just trying to be as good a football player as I can be and help our team.”

I’ve been around sports long enough to know what Stafford is saying should have Lions fans everywhere panicking. He’s essentially got the team back into a corner, but the team thinks they’re in a Mexican standoff. Let me be perfectly clear, the Detroit Lions needs Matthew Stafford way more than he needs them.

Stafford could start on at least 25 different teams in the NFL. If he walks from the Lions there’s next to no chance Detroit gets anybody nearly as good to replace him. Pay the man his money, and don’t make the same decisions that drove away Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson.

Follow David on Twitter