The Facts: No one in Detroit's front office sounds worried about if the Lions will work out a contract extension with Stafford. The question is when a mega-deal will get done. GM Bob Quinn sounded optimistic about the process, though it could take a few more months, at least, before the franchise quarterback puts pen to paper. "It's not done yet," Quinn said. "It takes two sides to do a deal and we're working towards that."

Diehards Line: Quinn added: "We're in the very early stages of talking to Matthew and his representatives. Matthew's a quarterback that I want here and he's a quarterback that coach (Jim) Caldwell wants here, so we're in the early stages. ..." As NFL.com notes, Stafford enters the final year of a five-year, $76.5 million contract signed in 2013. He's set to make $16.5 million in 2017, with a $22.5 million salary-cap hit. The eight-year pro's current average salary -- over the life of the contract -- currently sits 17th in the NFL behind the likes of Ryan Tannehill and Brock Osweiler. A new contract for Stafford is likely to start at $25 million per year, which would make him the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL -- at least until Aaron Rodgers and others begin signing their next deals. It's safe to say the Lions want to avoid the yearly franchise tag situation in which the Redskins are currently embroiled with Kirk Cousins. ... We'll be watching for more.