Lions GM Martin Mayhew Comments on Matthew Stafford's Future with Team

Things are rotten in the Motor City. With the Detroit Lions off to a 1-6 start and quarterback Matthew Stafford off to one of the worst starts in his career, it looks like changes might be on the horizon. 

But ideas that Stafford is on his way out of Detroit are "comical," according to Lions general manager Martin Mayhew.

On Friday, Mayhew expressed his confidence in the quarterback while speaking with Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

"Obviously, we need to win more football games," he said. "That's where the primary focus is. But when you have a franchise quarterback like Matthew Stafford, you keep that guy. If we had 22 Matthew Staffords, we'd win a championship every single year."

Mayhew went as far as saying that Stafford, along with wide receiver Calvin Johnson, has "Hall of Fame potential," according to Birkett.

In six complete seasons in the NFL, Stafford has recorded three years of 4,600 passing yards or more, including a 5,038-yard, 41-touchdown season in 2011. So he's proved he can sling it in the NFL. 

Mayhew's vote of confidence aside, though, Stafford has struggled mightily this season with nine interceptions through his first seven games and just one 300-yard performance. 

But it can't all be pinned on him. With one of the worst rushing attacks in the league, Stafford has been forced to lead a one-dimensional offense, which makes it easier for opposing defenses to scout. 

Surround him with a few more offensive targets, especially in the backfield, and things could turn around quickly for Stafford and the Lions.

Stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com.