Report: Matthew Stafford, Lions agree to 6-year deal

Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford has agreed to a six-year deal worth at least $41.7 million with the Detroit Lions, who will pick him with the first pick in the NFL draft Saturday, according to ESPN.com Friday.

The Lions were 0-16 last season, and have tabbed Stafford, a three-year starter for the Bulldogs, as the leader of the future. Stafford renounced his final year of college eligibility to become a millionaire. As the presumptive No. 1 overall pick, he will be first Georgia player so honored since 1953 when Harry Babcock was drafted by the 49ers.

With the top pick, the Lions have said they wanted to sign their choice beforehand. They have been in intensive negotiations with agents for Stafford since Wednesday.

The Detroit News reported late Friday night that Stafford and the Lions agreed on the guaranteed money in the deal and continue to iron out contract language with confidence of completing that part of the process.

ESPN.com reported Stafford’s deal could grow to $78 million if he reaches incentive goals.

Stafford, who is in New York for the draft, could not be reached Friday night. The Lions had not announced a deal.

Friday afternoon, Stafford reiterated to reporters in New York that he wanted to get a deal done with the Lions before the draft, but said he wasn’t sure if it would happen because of the complexity of a contract.

An interesting sidebar to Stafford’s move to the Motor City: His primary receiver will be former Georgia Tech rival Calvin Johnson, who was selected No. 3 overall by the Lions in the 2007 draft.

Interesting sidebar No. 2: The Falcons first exhibition game is Aug. 15 at Detroit.