Predicting each NFL teams starting quarterback on opening day 2019

Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford

The Detroit Lions seem content on going into 2019 with Matthew Stafford as their starting quarterback. Stafford has made the playoffs three times in his ten-year career, losing all three games. He always puts up numbers but is a below .500 quarterback in his career.

Detroit could not turn things around in the first season under head coach Matt Patricia. After going 6-10, they have decided to move on from offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter. Stafford thrived early on under Bob Cooter, but his numbers regressed in 2018.

Stafford signed a mega five-year, $135 million contract that kicked in this season, so the Lions are likely tied to Stafford until the end of the 2022 season, with an out in that deal after the 2020 season.

At 31 years old when the 2019 season starts, Stafford is reaching the second-half of his career. The Lions have to hope that Stafford can put together an elite season and finally lead them deep into the playoffs to validate using a number one pick on him in 2009.

Stafford is the Lions quarterback in 2019 and for the near future. Odds are he will be the guy in Detroit until at least 2020, if not longer. Stafford has a lot of potential and has not missed a game since 2010, playing in every game since the start of the 2011 season.