In 2008, the Detroit Lions went 0-16. That is the worst record in the history of the NFL and can only be beaten if the league moves to a longer schedule. In the 2009 draft, the Lions selected Matthew Stafford number one overall in hopes that he would be the savior at quarterback the franchise desperately needed.
Six and a half years later, I am ready to say: Matthew Stafford should be considered a bust. The 2015 Detroit Lions sit at 1-7 which is good for last in the NFL. The team that has Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate, and Matthew Stafford is in line for the number one pick in next year’s draft.
But should Stafford really be considered a pillar of the organization? Let’s look at his career numbers.
Through six and a half seasons, Stafford has thrown for 23,797 yards, 144 touchdowns, and 96 interceptions. On average, he throws for around 3,700 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions a season; these numbers will climb depending on how the rest of the season goes. Those are decent numbers but nothing particularly eye popping.
Now, let’s look at record.
Mind you he did not play all of the 2009 or 2010 seasons, so we’ll take the other four full seasons he has played. His record in those seasons is 32-32 with two playoff appearances and no playoff wins. This, all the while, is being played in a relatively mediocre division. Outside of the Packers, the Vikings and Bears have not been spectacular. In the same four year span, the Vikings went 25-38-1 and the Bears went 31-33.
While I am not trying to argue that Stafford is up there with Ryan Leaf or JaMarcus Russell in terms of being the biggest draft bust of all time, I am saying what he has accomplished in the league does not match up with the expectations of a number one overall pick and franchise quarterback.
This is a quarterback that was drafted out of college and signed the biggest rookie contract in history at seven years, $72 million with $41 million guaranteed. In 2013, Stafford signed an extension for three years worth $53 million. That is a lot of money for a guy with a “when healthy” career record of 32-32.
I am aware that other factors come into play on a football field that can influence record. The defensive side of the ball is vital (don’t tell Ryan Grigson that) as is the protection for the quarterback. Yes, the Lions have had some awful defenses in the last few years and yes, his offensive line has not been overly great.
With the same problems, though, and not nearly the talent around him, Andrew Luck has made the playoffs in all three of his seasons in the NFL. On a similar note, lacking weapons and an offensive line, Cam Newton is showing that he is a franchise quarterback in Carolina.
The offensive pieces are there in Detroit to overcome the deficiencies elsewhere, but they can never seem to pull a win out when they really need it, and that starts at the quarterback. Unfair or not, a quarterback has to lead his team to victory and Stafford simply hasn’t thus far in his career. Does that mean that he never can? Of course not.
My argument is this: in a time when winning and championships mean the most in sports, Stafford is, statistically, an average quarterback. As a player that was drafted first overall to turn around the fortunes of a historically poor franchise, he has not lived up to expectations, not even close.
[DetroitLions.com, ProFootballReference.com, ESPN.com, NFL.com, Bleacher Report]
