The Detroit Lions have signed QB Matthew Stafford to a 5-year, $135 million extension with $92 million guaranteed, including a $50 million signing bonus. It’s the largest contract in NFL history and it goes to an above-average, but by no means elite player.
Stafford’s deal sets the stage for players like Drew Brees, Kirk Cousins, Matt Ryan, Alex Smith, Sam Bradford, and even Jimmy Garoppolo, all of whom need new deals over the next year or two.