Quarterback Matthew Stafford Soon to Be Highest-Paid NFL Player

Matthew Stafford just signed a five-year deal with the Detroit Lions, making him the highest-paid player in NFL history, reports ESPN. 

The deal will have an average annual value of $27 million. Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr signed a five-year contract that pays $25 million annually last month, reports ESPN. 

A source told ESPN that Stafford’s deal is expected to guarantee him a record $92 million, including a $40 million signing bonus. Under the deal, Stafford will be guaranteed $60.5 million at signing and $86 million by the start of the second year of the contract. The full $92 million is guaranteed upon year three, a source told ESPN. 

The previous record for guaranteed money issued to an NFL player was $87 million, to Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts.

The Lions announced the five-year deal Monday night but did not disclose specifics. The 29-year-old player will now be part of the Lion’s franchise throughout the prime of his career.

Other Lions players, like receiver Golden Tate, took to Instagram to congratulate the quarterback.

Congrats my friend, you deserve every blessing that’s coming your way! No one deserves this more than you. The attitude and dedication you bring everyday is contagious. It’s been fun catching passes from you, but I feel like it’s gonna get way more fun. Hope we continue playing together for a long time #thatsmyquarterback (T.O voice )

A post shared by Golden Tate (@showtimetate) on Aug 28, 2017 at 7:26pm PDT

Stafford’s wife also posted a congratulatory picture and message of the couples’ twins, who were born in March.

When daddy and mommy whispered to us we would be spending 6 more years in detroit… hope y’all are as excited as we are! #golions #thankyoudetroit #home

A post shared by Kelly Stafford (@kbstafford89) on Aug 28, 2017 at 7:37pm PDT

Stafford was the No. 1 overall draft pick out of Georgia in 2009. According to ESPN and Spotrac, Stafford made $110,778,969 during his first eight seasons with the Lions. He was due another $16.5 million in cash for this season before signing the extension, but it is not immediately clear whether that number will change now. The QB has started in 109 games for the Lions, compiling a 51-58 record, according to ESPN. 

Stafford has statistically already become a top-50 quarterback in NFL history, ranking No. 29 in completions, No. 47 in attempts, No. 44 in yards, No. 49 in touchdowns and No. 23 in passer rating, reports ESPN.