Brady Quinn says ‘everyone wins’ with Matthew Stafford’s new Lions contract

Matthew Stafford clearly has the most cause to be happy and his agent, Tom Condon, isn’t too far behind on the list of those celebrating the quarterback’s new contract with the Detroit Lions.

But Brady Quinn thinks the Lions and their fans should also be pleased with the NFL-record, $135-million extension deal Stafford received on Monday.

‘Matt Stafford gets paid what looks to be market value for a franchise quarterback’

“It’s a good deal for everyone involved,” Quinn said on the SiriusXM Blitz. “Obviously, Matt Stafford gets paid what looks to be market value for a franchise quarterback. The Lions get the guy that they want (at), I don’t want to say an economical price because this year doesn’t look like that, maybe not even into next year, but largely when you look at this deal, with the way he’s played, as durable as he’s been, it’s a good deal for the team, too, in the long run. So everyone wins in this case.

“Hopefully, Lions fans feel the same, because I really do feel like he’s on the up in his career. I think he’s continued to get better, which was a big question after Calvin Johnson retired, only because of how good Calvin Johnson really was playing for them.”

‘It’s not about his win-loss record, it’s about the team’

Quinn doesn’t accept the criticism that Stafford hasn’t generated enough victories in eight NFL seasons. That’s his cue to remind the critics that football is a team game.

“It’s the greatest team sport,” he said. “A team would not shell out $135 million or sign him to that contract if they didn’t realize the value of Matt Stafford and his ability. It’s not about his win-loss record, it’s about the team. He’s played well enough to take them to the playoffs three of the last six years.

‘His third year he really, really kind of exploded on the map’

“And I think he’s put up some numbers. His third year he really, really kind of exploded on the map. He ends up throwing for 5,000 yards, 41 touchdowns, and right then and there you knew the Detroit Lions had their franchise quarterback for years to come.”