The Facts:
Eight months after they signed Stafford to a $53-million extension, the Detroit Lions are about to open up their checkbook for their quarterback again. Stafford received a $27.5-million signing bonus when he inked his contract last July but agreed to defer $17.5 million of the payment. The balance is due Friday.
Reported by the Detroit Free Press
Fantasy Football Diehards Line:
The bonus already has been accounted for on the Lions’ salary cap, and deferred payments are not uncommon for big contracts in the NFL. ... Now, Stafford has two more guaranteed seasons left on his contract before his salary cap number spikes to $22.5 million in 2016. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 draft, he finished third in the league in passing last year with 4,650 yards but saw a decline in his completion percentage (58.5 percent) and a rise in his interceptions (19) for the second straight year. As Free Press staffer Dave Birkett notes, the Lions have been intent on getting Stafford more help this year. They started by hiring a HC (Jim Caldwell) and OC (Joe Lombardi) with experience working with two of the league’s top quarterbacks (Peyton Manning and Drew Brees, respectively) and are expected to add two starting-caliber receivers this off-season either through free agency, the draft or both.
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