Lions enter biggest rebuild since drafting Stafford No. 1 in ’ 09

The last time the Detroit Lions went into an offseason with a rebuilding project this large, they were coming off a winless season and drafted Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford with the No. 1 overall pick in 2009. Detroit’s new general manager and coach will have to decide if Stafford is part of their plans to retool a franchise in desperate need of major changes after 33 losses in three seasons.

Stafford has two years left on his $ 135 million, five- year deal, but the new leaders of the Lions may opt to reshape the roster by trading him for draft picks. And Stafford may simply be ready to move on from the Lions.“There’s a lot to discuss,” he acknowledged after the season ended with a 3735 loss to Minnesota.“I’ll obviously keep that between my family and I and all that, but we’ll figure it out at some other date I’m sure.”

Stafford surpassed the 45,000- yard mark for passing Sunday in his 165th game, the fastest an NFL player has reached that number, and he threw for three scores against the Vikings to raise his career total to 282 touchdowns. Like many of Stafford’s stats, they were marred by a loss as the team dropped to 5- 11 this season and he fell to 7489- 1 in the regular season.

Detroit drafted the strongarmed Stafford with the hopes he could help the franchise earn at least a playoff victory for the first time since winning the 1957 NFL title. But he went 0- 3 in the 2011, 2014 and 2016 postseasons.

Offensive tackle Taylor Decker, who signed a six- year deal just before last season, said Monday he plans to lobby Lions president Rod Wood to keep Stafford.“I would love to keep protecting his blindside,” Decker said.