Detroit Lions: Jim Caldwell focused on football, not contracts

The long-term futures of Jim Caldwell and Matthew Stafford are a hot topic as the Detroit Lions start training camp, but Caldwell’s focus is on the team.

As the Detroit Lions gathered for the start of 2017 training camp, much of the focus in pre-camp media sessions was on the contract status of head coach Jim Caldwell and quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Neither Caldwell nor Stafford were much interested in that topic.

Asked about his concern about his contract heading into the season, Caldwell indicated there isn’t any (from him or his wife).

"Yeah you know what, I’m focused in on football, but I will tell you this, not any point in time in my life do I remember my wife asking me about my contract. If she’s not worried about it."

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Caldwell went on to explain that it’s always about performance regardless of contract situation.

"You know what, I’ve never worried about it and I think I’ve tried to explain pretty well to you guys that there hasn’t been a time in my life where you know, you operate under certain things. You never know if you have a 15-year contract, doesn’t mean you’re not going to be fired tomorrow. So, you’ve always got to perform. So, I’ve never worried about those things. I could care less to be honest with you. I’m more focused on getting our team ready. That’s my job. That’s my charge, and that’s what we’ll do."

Pressed further about whether or not he feels he’s earned an extension, Caldwell reiterated his focus on just this year.

"I’m not worried about that, and a matter of fact, those years don’t matter. It’s this year coming up that matters. That’s what’s important."

Stafford is under contract for this season, reported for camp on time and Caldwell is not part of negotiations on a extension for his quarterback but he was asked about that situation nonetheless. Caldwell first tried simply deflecting by pointing to the fact that others in the organization are responsible for those kinds of things.

"I think Matt will tell you that what he’s focused in on is football. What I’m focused in on is trying to get our team ready to play. We have other folks in our organization that are responsible for that aspect of it and they’ll do a great job of it. They’ll work with it and work to get something done."

When a follow up asked if Caldwell had any concerns that an extension would not get done, he was even more directed about his singular focus and again offered nothing in the way of speculation.

"I am focused in on trying to get this team ready, plain and simple."

Contract questions were surely anticipated by affected players and coaches but there doesn’t appear to be anything to suggest any of what is (or isn’t) going on is a distraction. With the initial questions out of the way, let’s hope we can just sit back and wait for news to break rather than have this be a daily occurrence.

Next: Situation could get dire without Stafford extension

All quotes have been provided by the Detroit Lions.

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