DETROIT (AP) – Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions agreed on a six-year deal Friday night, his agents told The Associated Press.

Tom Condon and Ben Dogra, who both represent Stafford, said the Lions will pay Stafford $41.7 million in guarantees and as much as $78 million.

Quarterback Matt Ryan, the No. 3 pick in last year’s draft, was signed to a $72 million, six-year contract with $34.75 million guaranteed by the Atlanta Falcons.

Detroit desperately needs a quarterback to help turn around the NFL’s first 0-16 team, which has had the worst eight-year stretch in the league since World War II, and is turning to Stafford after he was a starter in each of his three seasons at Georgia.


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