Rob Parker: The end in sight for Detroit Lions' Matthew Stafford

DETROIT – Matthew Stafford's days in Detroit should be numbered.

With Stafford's benching on Sunday in the Lions' 42-17 embarrassing loss to the Arizona Cardinals at Ford Field, it certainly feels like the beginning of the end.

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Before this benching, Stafford had taken every Lions' snap except two kneel-downs since the 2013 season.

But there's hope for Lions fans that this nightmare will be over sooner than later. The Lions can move on after this season without owing Stafford any loot despite the three-year, $41.7 million contract extension he signed in 2013.

And at this point, it's hard to imagine anyone who would be mad at the decision.

Stafford came to Motown seven years ago. There were high hopes. Most believed that their star quarterback had finally arrived after being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft out of Georgia.

The Lions finally had a big-arm QB who was going to lead them to the promised land, a trip to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.

Instead, Stafford has been an average quarterback, at best. He beats sub .500 teams often and rarely beats good NFL teams, teams with above .500 records.

And while Stafford, 28 in February, has had plenty of bad afternoons in the Fall, this is officially rock bottom.

Stafford was yanked by Lions' head coach Jim Caldwell for the first time in his pro career after he threw three interceptions. In all, Stafford was 20-for-32 for 188 yards. "We just didn't play well and it starts with me," said Stafford after the debacle. "I've got to play better.

"There's really no excuse for this one."

Stafford now has more interceptions (eight) than touchdowns passes (six) this season. Stafford is clearly one of the big reasons why the Lions are 0-5, still the only winless team in the NFL this season.

"He (Caldwell) told me at halftime if I throw another interception that I'll be pulled out of the game," Stafford said. "Obviously, I threw one. Wish I wouldn't have."

This is bigger than a bad day at the office. It's a turning point, a crossroad for this organization with Stafford under center.

For years, Stafford has had his supporters. They saw big stats -- all those yards and TDs early on -- and two trips to the playoffs. But he never won the big game, the signature game that made fans know that he officially arrived.

Despite that, some fans just couldn't face the notion that perhaps he isn't the guy, he isn't going to take this team anywhere.

And last season, people still had hope and honestly thought the Lions were on their way. They won 11 games and went to the playoffs in Caldwell's first season at the helm.

But even in all the success, it was the defense that led the game. The Lions' defense was the No. 2 ranked in the league, No. 1 against the run. Statistically, they were the 10th-best defense in NFL history.

Stafford, on the other hand, had a so-so season. Yes, he had fewer interceptions that 2013. But he also had fewer touchdowns. In all, he was the 22rd-ranked QB.

This season, Stafford is 26th ranked QB out of the 33 currently ranked.

Caldwell said there's no quarterback controversy. Stafford will start against the Chicago Bears next Sunday at Ford Field.

"Really, it's like a pitcher nor having a very good day," Caldwell said. "The pitcher comes out and the pitcher obviously - he's still the starter. He's still our starter, so there'll be no issues there."

With Dan Orlovsky as the backup QB, it doesn't give Caldwell a real option. He has play Stafford the rest of the season because he still gives them the best chance to win. Plus, you can't build with Orlovsky for the future. He's a career backup.

But if GM Martin Mayhew and Caldwell survive this mess -- and there's no guarantee -- they will have to make obvious move and release Stafford.

Stafford has no guaranteed money left on his deal. It would cost the Lions an $11 million cap hit to dump Stafford and move on.

The Lions should make that happen after this brutal 2015 season is all over. The time has come. The clock is ticking on Stafford.