According to Reports, the Detroit Lions secured a key piece of their future today, agreeing with Quarterback Matthew Stafford on a new 3 year contract extension. The deal is said to be signed later in the week. As Stafford had 2 years remaining on his current deal, the new deal should take him through the end of the 2017 season.
Stafford had 2 years, and $23.5 million remaining on his current deal. He is said to be due another $53 million on his new extension. Of that total $76.5 million, $43 million is in guaranteed money.
Stafford, 25, was the first overall pick of the 2009 draft by the Detroit Lions. After struggling with injuries his first two years, he had a real breakout campaign in 2011, leading the Lions to their first playoff birth in 12 years. Stafford threw for 5038 yards while completing 63.5 percent of his passes for 41 touchdowns and just 16 interceptions. His QB rating was an impressive 97.2.
However, Stafford and the Lions struggled in 2012. While he passed for an impressive 4967 yards, his completion percentage (59.8), touchdowns (20), interceptions (17) and QB rating (79.8) all took hits over the previous year. This led to the Lions finishing 4-12 and once again missing the playoffs, and finishing last in the NFC North.
This is the second straight year the Lions have done an extension with a young offensive star, locking up Calvin Johnson last season.
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