It's not a great time to be a Detroit Lions fan. The Green Bay Packers are looking perfect, and your team is 0-3. Not only are the Lions winless and about to go their 24th consecutive season without a playoff win, but they also have a few financial problems.

It begins with their quarterback and star wide receiver.

Matthew Stafford, who has as many touchdown passes as interceptions this year, has a $17.7 million salary cap hit this year. That's the fifth-highest in the NFL behind only Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Philip Rivers and Matt Ryan. In 2016 Stafford has a $22.5 million cap hit, and $22 million in 2017.

Stafford will count $62.2 million against the Lions cap in just the next three years.

We also can't forget about Calvin Johnson. "Megatron's" contract destroys the Lions salary cap in the near future. Johnson has a $20.5 million cap hit this year, $6 million more than any other wide receiver in the league. For perspective, Dez Bryant only counts $7 million against the Dallas Cowboys cap this season. Unfortunately, it doesn't get much better for the Lions after this season. Over the next four seasons, Johnson has cap hits of $24 million, $21 million, $17 million and $18 million.

Johnson will count $100.5 million against the Lions cap over the next five years. That means that the Lions management has over $160 million invested in just two players over the next five years. 

As a result, the Lions have the third-lowest amount of cap space available in the league at the moment at just over $2.5 million. There's no doubt it's showing on the field, and finances were a huge concern this offseason. The Lions were unable to keep Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley because they couldn't afford to do so. Suh and Fairley created an elite defensive line last season that ranked fifth overall in rushing yards against. So far the Lions rank 20th against the run this year. That's not a weird coincidence.

Speaking of running, the Lions rank dead last in rush offense this year. Unfortunately the Lions haven't been able to find, or afford, a quality running back in quite some time.

Not only are the Lions completely cap strapped because of Johnson and Stafford's contracts, but those two haven't exactly been performing an elite level lately. Stafford has never led the Lions to an NFC North victory, and he is throwing far too many inaccurate throws. Stafford is 35-45 as a starting quarterback for the Lions. Johnson isn't the dominant force he once was as his receiving yards and receptions have both decreased the last three consecutive seasons. Opposing teams have figured out the Lions passing attack.

The New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears are not in great financial situations, and they have begun to rebuild. Trading away Jimmy Graham was obvious a move to clear up cap space, and the Bears dealt Brandon Marshall away as well. It may be time for the Lions to consider rebuilding.

 Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter @DamonSalvadore1