Matthew Stafford Contract: Latest News, Rumors on Negotiations with Lions

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is in the middle of a resurgent season under center, and he will reportedly try to parlay his strong showing into another lucrative contract extension. 

Continue for updates. 

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Stafford Comments on Contract 

Wednesday, Nov. 16

Stafford said reports that his contract could be worth $25 million are "news to [him]," per Kyle Meinke of MLive.com.

"It's not up to me," Stafford said when asked if he wanted to be with the Lions long term, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. "I want to play football as long as I can. Would obviously love to be here"

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Latest on Stafford's Negotiations with Lions

Sunday, Nov. 13

CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora reported on Nov. 13 that Stafford and his agents will seek a new deal with the Lions that pays out more than $25 million annually.  

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New Stafford Deal Would Benefit Stafford and Lions

Stafford will have one year remaining on his deal after the 2016 season, but it would behoove both sides to get a deal done before the 2017 campaign rolls around. 

"Letting a quarterback of his caliber play into his lame-duck season is not ideal, and while the Lions would franchise him in 2018, that figure alone could be inching up to $25 million for one season by then," La Canfora wrote.

Player	Salary
Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts	$24,594,000
Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals	$24,350,000
Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints	$24,250,000
Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens	$22,133,333
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers	$22,000,000

Although Stafford has experienced plenty of ups and downs since he signed a three-year, $53 million extension in 2013, he's thrived under the tutelage of offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter. 

Based on the way Stafford has evolved from an efficiency perspective with Cooter calling the plays, the Lions shouldn't hesitate to lock up their franchise signal-caller for the long term.