How Long Has Matthew Stafford Been In The NFL?

Stafford has been in the NFL since he was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2009. He is currently the highest-paid player in the league.

Matthew Stafford’s NFL Career

Matthew Stafford was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the first overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. He has spent his entire career with the Lions and is currently the team’s starting quarterback. Stafford has been to the Pro Bowl three times and is a two-time NFL passing yards leader. He is the Lions’ all-time leader in passing yards and touchdown passes.

Drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2009

After being drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2009, Stafford has had a relatively successful NFL career. In his first season, he started all 16 games and helped lead the Lions to a playoff berth. Stafford has also been selected to the Pro Bowl four times (2011, 2014, 2016, 2018).

Became the Lions’ starting quarterback in 2010

Matthew Stafford was drafted by the Detroit Lions with the first overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. He became the Lions’ starting quarterback in 2010 and has remained their starter ever since.

In his nine seasons with the Lions, Stafford has been one of the most productive and durable quarterbacks in the league. He has thrown for over 4,000 yards in a season seven times, including a career-high 5,038 yards in 2011. He has also thrown for over 30 touchdowns in a season four times, including a career-high 41 touchdowns in 2011.

Stafford has also been very durable, playing in all 16 games in eight of his nine seasons with the Lions. He has only missed a total of eight games in his NFL career, all of which came during the 2015 season when he missed six games due to injury and two games due to an illness.

Led the Lions to the playoffs in 2011

Matthew Stafford led the Lions to the playoffs in 2011, his second season in the NFL. Detroit had not been to the playoffs since 1999, and Stafford’s performance was a big reason why. He threw for 5,038 yards and 41 touchdowns, both franchise records. The Lions lost their first playoff game to the New Orleans Saints, but Stafford’s play was a sign of things to come.

Stafford has been one of the most productive quarterbacks in the NFL since he entered the league. He has thrown for more than 4,000 yards in six of his eight seasons, including a career-high 5,292 yards in 2013. He has also thrown for at least 20 touchdowns in seven of his eight seasons.

The only thing that has held Stafford back from being an elite quarterback is his lack of success in the playoffs. He has only led the Lions to one playoff win in four appearances, and that came back in 2011. Detroit has lost its last seven playoff games dating back to 1991, and Stafford has yet to win a postseason game as a starter.

Stafford’s NFL Records

As of the 2019 season, Matthew Stafford has been in the NFL for 11 years. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Stafford has set multiple NFL records, including most passing yards in a single season by a quarterback.

Most passing yards in a season (5,038 in 2011)

In the 2011 regular season, Stafford completed 421 of 663 passes for 5,038 yards and 41 touchdowns, with 16 interceptions. His 5,038 passing yards placed him second in NFL history for most passing yards in a single season by a rookie, behind only Peyton Manning’s record of 5,477 set in 1998.

Most passing touchdowns in a season (41 in 2011)

In 2011, Stafford completed 421 of 663 passes (63.5 percent) for 5,038 yards and 41 touchdowns with 16 interceptions. He finished second in the NFL in passing yards to Drew Brees (5,476) and his touchdown total was good for a tie for sixth with Brees and Eli Manning.

Most passing yards in a game (520 in 2013)

In 2013, Stafford completed 58 of his 92 attempts (63.0%) for 520 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions in a 41–28 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The 520 passing yards was the second most in a game by any player in NFL history, behind Norm Van Brocklin’s 554-yard performance in 1951.

Stafford’s NFL Awards

Matthew Stafford has been in the NFL for 12 years and has been the Lions’ starting quarterback for 10 of those years. In that time, he has racked up some impressive stats and has been awarded for his accomplishments.

NFC Offensive Player of the Year (2011)

In 2011, Stafford was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press after leading the Lions to a 10-6 record, their first winning season since 2000. He became the first Lions player to win the award since Barry Sanders in 1997.

NFL passing yards leader (2011)

In 2011, Stafford became the NFL’s passing yards leader, throwing for 5,038 yards. He was the youngest player to ever achieve this feat.

NFL passing touchdowns leader (2011)

Stafford passed for 5,038 yards in the 2011 season, becoming the fourth player in NFL history to pass for 5,000 yards in a single season. He also became the first quarterback in NFL history to have 1,000 yard receivers in Calvin Johnson, Brandon Pettigrew, and Titus Young. His 41 passing touchdowns were tied with Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers for second most in the NFL behind New England’s Tom Brady, who had 39. Stafford was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Year by the Kansas City Committee of 101 and was also named NFC Offensive Player of the Month for November.