In the 2009 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions held the first overall pick after becoming the first team in NFL history to go 0-16 in a season. During that season, Dan Orlovsky, Daunte Culpepper, and Jon Kitna all started at quarterback, showing insecurity at the position. So, with that first pick, the Lions drafted a young gunslinger from Georgia by the name of Matthew Stafford.

Stafford has been one of Detroit’s most polarizing athletes since being drafted. He has always been known to have a cannon arm, but has had issues in his career with interceptions, or, trusting said arm too much. Stafford has just two playoff appearances with Detroit, and no wins. He has also benefited from having Calvin Johnson his entire career. Despite all of this, he should be appreciated.

The stats for Stafford are there. He is the fastest QB in NFL history to reach 25,000 career passing yards, doing so in just 90 games. Peyton Manning currently holds the NFL record for career passing yards at 71,940. If Stafford was to keep his current pace, he would surpass 70,000 yards at age 38. He has a chance to statistically become one of the best quarterbacks of all time.

Stafford’s gawking stats have not produced success in Detroit. This is not up for debate. However, a couple things stand out to me. In the 2014 playoff season, he benefited from having a top five defense. In 2011 however, the defense ranked in the bottom third in the league. So he has made the playoffs without an elite defense.

The other point to be made is the fact that elite quarterbacks are hard to come by in today’s NFL. If you look at the other 31 NFL teams, about half of them have a QB that is young, unproven, or just flat out not good. Stafford is none of those. He has proven he can command an elite offense and put up great numbers.

Stafford is not a guy that will win every year regardless of personnel. Tom Brady consistently wins with an average run game, offensive line, and receivers. Stafford is not good enough to do that. But if you pair him with good enough protection and good enough receivers, he can have success. He has shown this in the past. Many teams do not have the luxury the Lions have at quarterback.

Many Lions fans are quick to blame Stafford for losses and losing seasons and rightfully so, sometimes. Often in the NFL whether you win or lose is heavily dependent on the play of the quarterback. However, the personnel and coaching during Stafford’s career have been subpar. He played five seasons under Jim Schwartz, a defensive guy, who had limited success in Detroit.

Stafford’s talent is not something that should come into question. He also has a flare for the dramatic, with 17 career fourth quarter comebacks and 20 career game winning drives. The Lions have had minimal talent during his career. He has a cannon arm and is a top half quarterback in the NFL.

Guys like Matthew Stafford do not just grow on trees. He has one of the NFL’s strongest arms, and possess the physical traits to be an elite NFL quarterback. Remember, Drew Brees didn’t win a Super Bowl until he was 30. Stafford is just 28. Be patient, Lions fans, Stafford is worth it.