Matthew Stafford cashed in Wednesday morning, signing a three-year, $53 million contract extension with the Lions that includes $41.5 million in guaranteed money.
Stafford is Detroit’s first bona fide franchise quarterback in decades — literally since the 1970s — but one former Pro Bowl signal caller thinks the 25-year-old has not done enough to earn his sizable new deal.
Donovan McNabb, who seems to have an opinion on everybody these days, discussed Stafford’s deal during NFL Total Access on Tuesday. While he has put up impressive statistics, McNabb argues, Stafford’s inability to translate those into victories prevents him from being discussed among the NFL’s elite.
“When you look at just the numbers overall, you have to think about 12,000 yards and being the youngest quarterback to reach this feat and also the things he’s been able to accomplish, you know you begin to question this.” McNabb said (via MLive.com). “It’s about wins and losses again. Now, as a quarterback and as Matt Stafford, hey, I would take that contract just like Tony Romo took his contract. But is he worth top-five money? I would have to say no. And I say that because it’s about wins and losses.
“What has he really done for the Detroit Lions? Nothing.”
Stafford, with the help of wideout Calvin Johnson, did lead Detroit to a playoff appearance two years ago — their first since 1999 — but McNabb may have a point. In his 24 career games against a team that finished the season with a winning record, Stafford has gone 1-23. For Stafford to become anything more than another Romo, that will have to change.
