LA Rams and Detroit Lions Make a Switch, Stafford for Goff Plus Picks

Matthew Stafford and Jarred Goff were in the middle of the mega-trade last night, with the two quarterbacks switching jerseys.

Stafford will play for the LA Rams, while Goff heads in the opposite direction, along with three draft picks – 2021 3rd-rounder, 2022 first-rounder, and 2023 first-rounder.

This was a unique trade that included two top picks from their respective drafts, which is why the hype surrounding it was extremely high. However, this isn’t the only reason.

The Rams, who were already a Super Bowl candidate, have now become even stronger, and it is no wonder to see their stock going up at the majority of bookies. Meanwhile, the Lions get a solid quarterback, whose potential is high, and many picks that will come pretty handy in their rebuilding process.

Stafford is among the best passers in the last 10 years and one of the best quarterbacks in general during that period. He was the Lions’ No.1 choice at the 2009 draft, and following the first two years filled with injuries, became the franchise’s icon.

Back in 2011, he had a marvelous season with 5,038 yards and 41 touchdowns, which only indicated his capabilities. Stafford holds numerous records for reaching passing yardage milestones in the fewest number of games, as well as for comeback wins, all that with an average team Detroit used to have during his stay in the Motor City.

In 2011, 2014, and 2016, the Lions entered the playoffs, but lost in the Wild Card round on each occasion. Stafford now leaves the team as the franchise leader in passing yards 45,109 and passing touchdowns, 282, this being two of the most important categories of many in which he holds the top spot.

Goff, meanwhile, will leave the Rams as a massive failure. The 2016 No.1 draft pick shined for two years, but that ended after the loss in the Super Bowl LIII against the Pats, 13-3. From that moment on, Goff became a problem for his team instead of a leader, often posting poor performances, being inconsistent, and shaky with morale.

Matthew Stafford is the 2nd QB to be traded for multiple 1st-round picks since 2000, with Jay Cutler in 2009 being the other.

It's the 2nd time in 3 years the Rams have made this type of trade (Jalen Ramsey in Oct. 2019) pic.twitter.com/xMx2jDKgDz

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 31, 2021

The recent season saw the culmination, with the Rams being one of the Super Bowl candidates, while on the other side, Goff having troubles all the time. LA ended its campaign in the NFC Divisional matchup against the Packers in Green Bay, 32-18.

With a $134 million extension, and $110 million guaranteed in the same, Goff is also one of the biggest mistakes of the Rams, who will now have to endure the highest cap hit in the league since 2015, $22.2 million, and also to sacrifice the two-first round picks. Officially this franchise won’t choose in the first round until 2023, with the previous four also being used in various trades. For them this is the last chance to attack the title, with all the salary cap restrictions and the future pick projections.

The two guys will have completely the opposite goals next year. Stafford will have a fully formed team whose aim is to win the Super Bowl. Meanwhile, Goff lands in a franchise that recently had its ownership changed and is at the start of the rebuild process. We’ll see how they handle new roles, and what happens next with these two teams.