Lions QB Matthew Stafford to become highest-paid NFL player

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Matthew Stafford is set to become the highest-paid player in NFL history after agreeing to a five-year contract with the Detroit Lions, sources confirmed to ESPN on Monday night.

The deal, averaging $27 million per year, surpasses the five-year, $25 million annual contract signed last month by Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr. According to a source, Stafford’s contract includes a record-breaking $92 million in guarantees, with a $50 million signing bonus. Previously, the highest guaranteed amount for an NFL player was $87 million, earned by Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts.

As part of the agreement, Stafford will receive $60.5 million in guaranteed money at signing and $86 million by the start of the second year in March. The full $92 million becomes guaranteed by Year 3, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The Lions confirmed the deal on Monday night but withheld financial details. This extension ensures the 29-year-old quarterback, the franchise leader in most passing categories, remains with Detroit during the prime of his career.

Wide receiver Golden Tate and Stafford’s wife, Kelly, celebrated the news on Instagram. Stafford, who earned $110.78 million during his first eight seasons with the Lions, was set to make $16.5 million this season before the extension. It’s unclear if that figure will change under the new agreement.

In April, Stafford expressed his desire to stay with the Lions. He and his wife, who welcomed twin daughters Sawyer and Chandler in March, live in the Detroit area year-round. This deal fulfills that long-term commitment, though Stafford hinted it might not be his last contract, stating in April that he plans to play for many more years.

Drafted first overall from Georgia in 2009, Stafford has started 109 games for Detroit, achieving a 51-58 record. After battling injuries in his first two seasons, he has started every game since 2011. He has completed 2,634 of 4,285 passes (61.5%) for 30,303 yards, 187 touchdowns, and 108 interceptions, while also rushing for 851 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Under head coach Jim Caldwell, Stafford has had some of his best seasons, including a Pro Bowl appearance in 2014 and two playoff runs. During Caldwell’s tenure, he has posted three of his four highest completion percentages and his lowest career interception totals in full seasons.

Statistically, Stafford is already ranked among the top 50 NFL quarterbacks in history, sitting at No. 39 in completions, No. 47 in attempts, No. 44 in yards, No. 49 in touchdowns, and No. 23 in passer rating. Before his NFL career, Stafford starred at Highland Park High School in Texas alongside MLB pitcher Clayton Kershaw, currently baseball’s highest-paid player.