Matthew Stafford Says He 'Would Love' Contract Extension with Lions

As he gets set to enter the final year of his contract, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford expressed his desire Tuesday to come to terms on a long-term deal.

According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Stafford said the following with regard to potentially remaining in Detroit beyond 2017: "I would love to [get a new deal done]. I've had a really good time playing here, would like to be here long term. But that's yet to be seen."

Last week, Lions general manager Bob Quinn made it clear that he wants to get a deal done with Stafford as well, per Birkett: "Matthew's a quarterback that I want here and he's a quarterback that Coach [Jim] Caldwell wants here. It takes two sides to do a deal and we're working towards that."

Stafford is set to count $22 million against the salary cap in 2017, which is the third year of a three-year, $53 million contract he signed previously, according to Spotrac.

The 29-year-old veteran led Detroit to the playoffs last season with a 9-7 record. He completed 65.3 percent for his passes while throwing for 4,327 yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The latter was the lowest mark of his NFL career in a full season.

Stafford has made just one Pro Bowl in eight seasons, but the former No. 1 overall draft pick out of Georgia has thrown for at least 4,200 yards in six straight seasons and brought the Lions to the playoffs three times.

He is 11th among active quarterbacks in career passing touchdowns, 12th in passing yardage and 16th in quarterback rating.

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