Matthew Stafford set a new bar for quarterback earnings Monday after agreeing to a five-year, $135 million extension, the largest in NFL history. That deal not only keeps him with the Detroit Lions for the foreseeable future, but it effectively guarantees that Green Bay Packers signal-caller Aaron Rodgers will reset the market again on his next contract.
Stafford came to terms on his new deal as he entered the final year of his existing contract. With the franchise tag set to increase significantly next offseason and the Lions losing leverage by the day, the two sides found enough common ground to strike an agreement.