Matthew Stafford traded to Rams: Winners and losers from blockbuster NFL trade
Matthew Stafford being traded to the Rams for Jared Goff and picks is a blockbuster trade that shakes up the NFL but who emerged as winners and losers?
Perhaps the biggest blockbuster NFL trade in recent memory, the Detroit Lions agreed to trade quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams. In return, the Lions will get quarterback Jared Goff, a 2022 and 2023 first-round pick and a 2021 third-round pick.
This is a game-changing trade not just for the Rams and Lions but for the NFL in general. It sets a precedent for a such a deal that could be coming in the future and puts some teams in a tough situation moving forward.
We’ve already handed out grades to the Rams and Lions but now let’s broaden the scope a bit as we break down the winners and losers of the Matthew Stafford trade.
Winner: Matthew Stafford
How can you not be excited for Matthew Stafford getting out of the Motor City? Heck, it seems as if even Lions fans are in that camp.
Since being selected No. 1 overall by Detroit, Stafford has consistently shown his tremendous talent, leadership and toughness. He’s beloved by teammates and fans alike. Yet, the organization consistently let him down with their roster building, giving him some ancillary pieces but never completing the puzzle.
That all changes as he moves to the west coast. Stafford is joining a team that was in the Super Bowl within the past few years and gives them a substantial upgrade at quarterback. Subsequently, not only are the playoffs now fully in view but another shot at a ring is as well. That’s the opportunity that a player of the quarterback’s caliber deserves.
Winner: Los Angeles Rams
Make no mistake, the Rams are going all-in on winning right now. They now don’t have a first-round pick until the 2024 NFL Draft, which is a clear sign of a team that’s not thinking about the future as much as they are the present. Having said that, they have the roster and the team to do that.
Especially after seeing how good the Rams defense with Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey was this past season, there is no reason to think Los Angeles isn’t in position to compete for a Super Bowl. It was clear, though, that Jared Goff was a limiting factor. They now have a quarterback who raises the ceiling of a talent-laden offense tremendously. Balance that with their defense and this move makes them a winner as it puts them on track for a Lombardi Trophy.