Matthew Stafford hopeful he'll be in Detroit 'for a long time'

Matthew Stafford has thrown for 2,083 yards with 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions for the 1-7 Lions this season. AP Photo/Matt Dunham

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford said Monday he is not thinking about his own future in the aftermath of the team firing team president Tom Lewand and general manager Martin Mayhew.

Stafford made these comments during his weekly television appearance on FOX2 in Detroit -- the first time he's spoken publicly since Mayhew and Lewand were let go Thursday. The pair were responsible for drafting Stafford with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 draft, Mayhew's first draft as general manager and Lewand's first as team president.

"I don't think it helps, you know, for me to sit there and think about it," Stafford said on FOX2. "I'm doing a disservice to the other guys in the locker room preparing to win games on Sundays to sit there and worry about what the future holds. I'm trying to play as good of football as I possibly can and help the Lions win."

Stafford has completed 193 of 299 passes this season for 2,083 yards, 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He's also been sacked 22 times. The 27-year-old is in the final year of guaranteed money on his contract with two more years of non-guaranteed money still on the deal before it expires following the 2017 season.

Stafford is the franchise's leader in passing yards (23,797), touchdowns (144), completions (2,041) and attempts (3,398).

The quarterback's future in Detroit has come into question this season starting with his benching in Week 5 against Arizona. Then, with the Lions firing offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi heading into Week 8 and now Lewand and Mayhew, those who have supported Stafford the most are starting to no longer be with the organization.

Stafford, for one, said he can't worry about what his future will hold.

"Listen, that's not up to me. It's not," Stafford said on FOX2. "I love playing here. I've enjoyed it. We'll see what happens. Hopefully I'm here for a long time."