“Substantial Gap” Between Lions & Matthew Stafford Regarding Extension

Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports there is still a “pretty substantial gap” between the Lions and QB Matthew Stafford regarding a long-term contract extension.

Pelissero does add that the two parties are in active talks, which is at least a positive sign, even though they appear to be a good distance apart right now.

Last week, Stafford told reporters that there is “no timetable” for a long-term extension but that his agent, Tom Condon, and the team are currently in discussions.

Stafford’s next contract should make him the highest-paid player in the league, topping Derek Carr‘s record, five-year, $125 million contract that included $70.2 million guaranteed.

Stafford, 29, is a former first-round pick of the Lions back in 2009. He’s in the final year of his five-year, $76.5 million contract that included $41.5 million guaranteed and he stands to make a base salary of $16.5 million for the 2017 season.

In 2016, Stafford threw for 4,327 yards while completing 65.3 percent of his passes to go along with 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 9 quarterback out of 34 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding a new deal for Stafford as the news is available.