First year Detroit Lions head coach, Jim Schwartz, has decided to choose Matthew Stafford as his starter for the regular season over proven veteren and former Minnesota Vikings great, Daunte Culpepper.

“We announced to our team this morning that Matt Stafford is going to be our starting quarterback,” Schwartz said.

Schwartz said he believes both Culpepper and Stafford are highly capable of winning games, including 3rd stringer Drew Stanton.

“I’m very, very comfortable with the quarterback position here, not just one and two, but also three,” he said. “What made this decision difficult was that I think we can win with Daunte Culpepper, I think we can with Matt Stafford, and I think we can win with Drew Stanton.”

Even if it’s not with the Lions, Schwartz is positive that Culpepper will, once again, become a star in the NFL.

“Daunte Culpepper is back — there’s no doubt in my mind and there’s no doubt around this league,” he said. “He’s going to be back as a starting quarterback in this league, and with a high level of success.”

All things being even, the Lions have to start Stafford. They’re paying him way too much money not to play him.