Detroit Lions' Matthew Stafford 'expected' to get big time raise before season

April 14 (UPI) -- Quarterback Matthew Stafford is in the final year of his contract this season, but he'll likely see a new deal in the next few months.

The NFL Network reported Friday that Stafford is expected to sign a new pact in late spring or early summer.

"It's interesting when we're sitting down in draft meetings the last couple weeks and we go through every position no matter if we need one or not," Lions general manager Bob Quinn told the Detroit Free Press. "And you look across the country and there's really a lack of quarterbacks when you look at across the NFL and college football. So I think we're fortunate situation to have Matthew as a member of our team and we're hoping to make that a long-term thing."

Stafford and the Lions opened negotiations during the March NFL scouting combine. He is currently due $16.5 million in 2017, in the final year of the extension he signed in 2013. Stafford, 29, is expected to command an annual salary around $25 million.

The former No. 1 overall draft pick was a Pro Bowl selection in 2014. He completed 65.3 percent of his passes for 4,327 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions last season. Stafford has now started all 16 games in every season since 2011.

Pro Football talk reported that Stafford "could break the bank" and shouldn't accept anything less than $42.9 million over the first two years of a new contract.

The Georgia product has also been one of the league's most clutch passers. Stafford has led the NFL in fourth quarter comebacks and game-winning drives in two of the last three seasons.