Lions GM Bob Quinn 'Confident' Matthew Stafford Will Sign New Contract

Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn expressed confidence Sunday that a long-term deal with quarterback Matthew Stafford is on the horizon.

According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Quinn provided a positive outlook in regard to negotiations when asked about them on SiriusXM NASCAR radio: "Always have positive thinking. But I've said this a bunch of times. It takes two sides to do a deal, and I feel confident that we'll get something done."

Quinn also said he believes the two parties will strike a deal "eventually" and that he is hoping for progress later in the summer.

The 29-year-old Stafford led Detroit to the playoffs last season and turned in a solid statistical campaign with 4,327 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Per Birkett, Stafford is expected to become the NFL's highest-paid player when he signs a new deal at an average annual salary of $25 million.

Although he has just one career Pro Bowl nod to his credit, the 2009 No. 1 overall draft pick is one of the most successful signal-callers in Lions history, and he has taken them to the postseason three times in his eight NFL campaigns.

Stafford is the Lions' career leader in passing yardage, passing touchdowns and quarterback rating among players with at least eight starts.