All Lions

Who Was Detroit's Most Valuable Player during the Last Decade?

Longtime franchise passer Matthew Stafford was the Lions' "most valuable player" from 2010-19, according to Pro Football Focus

Vito Chirco

The last decade was far from a success story for the Lions, with just three playoff appearances (during the 2011, 2014 and 2016 seasons) and no wins.

But, from 2010-19, they still had some very productive players that donned the Honolulu Blue.

Spearheading the organization's list of "most valuable players" in that time span, according to Pro Football Focus' WAR (wins above replacement) stat, was longtime franchise passer Matthew Stafford.

Stafford has been with the team since being selected No. 1 overall in the 2009 NFL Draft.

In the past 11 years with the Lions (149 games), he's thrown for 41,025 yards, 256 touchdowns and 134 interceptions.

No Detroit quarterback has played in more games, accumulated more passing yards or thrown for more touchdowns than Stafford in the history of the franchise.

Stafford is followed on PFF's most valuable players list by franchise great and wide receiver Calvin Johnson, shutdown cornerback Darius Slay, one-time Pro Bowl safety Glover Quin and Super Bowl champion and wideout Golden Tate.

All were solid in their own right, especially Johnson, a six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, during the time they spent in the Motor City. 

Johnson, affectionately known as "Megatron," is the franchise's all-time leader in receptions (731), reception yards (11,619) and TD catches (83).

However, only Stafford was a member of all three playoff teams in the 2010s. And it can be easily argued that the franchise wouldn't have even come close to sniffing the postseason during the decade without his presence.

Undoubtedly, he was the most valuable player for the organization from 2010-19.

Related 

Ranking D'Andre Swift and Rookie Running Backs Entering 2020

NFL Coaches Can Return to Facilities June 5

Matthew Stafford Shines Under Pressure

Published
Vito Chirco
VITO CHIRCO

Vito has covered the NFL and the Detroit Lions for the past five years.  Has extensive reporting history of college athletics, the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Mercy Athletics.  Chirco's work include NFL columns, analyzing potential Detroit Lions prospects coming out of college, NFL draft coverage and analysis of events occurring in the NFL.  Extensive broadcasting experience including hosting a Detroit Tigers podcast and co-hosting a Detroit Lions NFL podcast since 2019. 

Home/News