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Report: Stafford's future with Lions 'very much in doubt'
We know general manager Martin Mayhew and president Tom Lewand are gone. And head coach Jim Caldwell could be out the door this off-season as well.
But what about Matthew Stafford?
NFL.com reporter Ian Rapaport said today that he was told that the quarterback's future with the Detroit Lions is "very much in doubt" as the Lions began cleaning out the front office amid a dismal 1-7 season.
"He has no guaranteed money after this year," Rapaport said. "Now, if they do cut him (entering 2016), it would cost $11 million of dead money, essentially money they're paying to have him not on the roster."
Stafford is making $9.5 million this year, then $17 million in 2016 and $16.5 million in 2017. His cap hit in 2016, however, is $22.5 million, then $22 million in 2017.
And then there's his play on the field. Stafford ranks 24th in the NFL in passer rating (84.1) and has thrown just 13 touchdowns to go along with 11 interceptions, which ranks tied for 2nd-highest in the NFL. Furthermore, the Lions offense ranks 26th in the league in offensive yards per game (337.8) and 30th in points per game (18.6).
Rapaport shared some interesting nuggets about Stafford.
"There's a lot going on with Matthew Stafford now ... he was benched earlier in the year which, for a franchise quarterback, never happens," Rapaport said. "I'm also told that Joe Lombardi, the former offensive coordinator, was frustrated that he couldn't put enough on Stafford's plate, did not think he was able to handle it, was not taking as much control of the offense as the coaching staff wanted.
"In fact, new offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter actually had to simplify things for Stafford. All of which, in part, leads to the conclusion that Stafford's days in Detroit are very much numbered."
Stafford is the Lions' No. 1 overall pick from 2009, the first draft pick of the Mayhew era, and the Lions have spent considerable resources trying to build the offense around him. Stafford's career stats: 60.1% passing for 23,797 yards, 144 touchdowns and 96 interceptions. His career passer rating is 83.7.
We know general manager Martin Mayhew and president Tom Lewand are gone. And head coach Jim Caldwell could be out the door this off-season as well.
But what about Matthew Stafford?
NFL.com reporter Ian Rapaport said today that he was told that the quarterback's future with the Detroit Lions is "very much in doubt" as the Lions began cleaning out the front office amid a dismal 1-7 season.
"He has no guaranteed money after this year," Rapaport said. "Now, if they do cut him (entering 2016), it would cost $11 million of dead money, essentially money they're paying to have him not on the roster."
Stafford is making $9.5 million this year, then $17 million in 2016 and $16.5 million in 2017. His cap hit in 2016, however, is $22.5 million, then $22 million in 2017.
And then there's his play on the field. Stafford ranks 24th in the NFL in passer rating (84.1) and has thrown just 13 touchdowns to go along with 11 interceptions, which ranks tied for 2nd-highest in the NFL. Furthermore, the Lions offense ranks 26th in the league in offensive yards per game (337.8) and 30th in points per game (18.6).
Rapaport shared some interesting nuggets about Stafford.
"There's a lot going on with Matthew Stafford now ... he was benched earlier in the year which, for a franchise quarterback, never happens," Rapaport said. "I'm also told that Joe Lombardi, the former offensive coordinator, was frustrated that he couldn't put enough on Stafford's plate, did not think he was able to handle it, was not taking as much control of the offense as the coaching staff wanted.
"In fact, new offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter actually had to simplify things for Stafford. All of which, in part, leads to the conclusion that Stafford's days in Detroit are very much numbered."
Stafford is the Lions' No. 1 overall pick from 2009, the first draft pick of the Mayhew era, and the Lions have spent considerable resources trying to build the offense around him. Stafford's career stats: 60.1% passing for 23,797 yards, 144 touchdowns and 96 interceptions. His career passer rating is 83.7.
