Free agency is looming and just days away, lions have a really important matter to deal with before then which will shape their free agency. This big pressing matter is Matthew Stafford and getting him resigned to a new contract. Staffords cap hit for this forth coming season is over $20 millions which is approximately one sixth of the cap. This is a massive problem when Detroit have holes all over the roster and need to be players in the free agency.
By resigning Stafford to a new long term deal it will make his contract much more friendly to this years cap. It could potentially save Lions about 5-8 million in this years cap. This would allow them to resign some their own free agents who need to be kept around like Avril and Cherilus. It would also give the club the opportunity to be more active in free agency and pursue veterans who can come in and be leaders, who do not come cheap.
It also has some positive affects on Stafford to get the deal done sooner rather than later. Firstly and most obviously it secures him to the club for longer, players like to have lengthy contracts as generally they are loaded with guaranteed money. It will also have a similar affect as to what Brady has done in New England given his team more money to strengthen the roster and ultimately more chance of winning. Finally I think it will help with him gaining leadership of this young team. Currently I do not view Stafford as a great leader few players look up to him but this could help him change this persona and players may feel accountable to him.
My final thought on this is it is not going to be easy. Stafford holds all the leverage as he is due over $20 this season and is in titled to that money, after all that is the contract he signed. Stafford will want to be paid correctly and will demand top dollar. Stafford holds more leverage because for him their is no major rush he has 2 more years under contract and financially would happily take the money from this contract. Stafford needs to show his commitment to the team here and how serious he is to helping build a winning team.
Sign a new deal Staff and become a leader.
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