Quarterback: Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
Contract: Five years, $135 million with $92 million guaranteed
After an impressive career with the University of Georgia, Matthew Stafford ended up going first overall in the 2009 NFL Draft to the Detroit Lions. His career started off on the wrong foot as he had 13 touchdown passes and 20 interceptions as a rookie, in just 10 starts.
His second campaign started out much better as he had 535 yards passing with six touchdowns against just one pick through three games, but a shoulder injury sent him to IR as surgery was required.
Then, Stafford blew up in 2011. At 23 years of age, he threw for 5,038 yards with 41 touchdown passes. He did have 16 picks, but that was understandable with the number of passes he was throwing.
As good as he was that season, Stafford has yet to replicate that success. It’s not that he’s been bad, but he just hasn’t been as explosive. He’s also struggled to generate wins for the Lions and has a career record of 66-75 as a starter.
Still, the Lions believe in him the highest paid player in the league in 2017 when they gave him a five-year, $135 million extension. He no longer stands atop the list of player salaries, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t still being paid far more than what he should.