The Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions agreed to a trade that shook up the NFL landscape just under two years ago when they swapped quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff in a blockbuster deal. Now, the two franchises and their current QBs are set to square off in Sunday’s Wild Card bout with a trip to the Divisional Round of the playoffs on the line.
Jared Goff Trade Details
Rams receive:
- Matthew Stafford
Lions receive:
- Jared Goff
- 2021 third-round pick
- 2022 first-round pick
- 2023 first-round pick
Why Did the Rams Trade Jared Goff?
Los Angeles ultimately decided to move on from Goff after he had seemingly fallen out of favor within the organization.
Goff had some strong early seasons with the Rams, throwing for 3,804 yards, 28 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 2017, his first full year as the starter. He then threw for a career-high 4,688 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 2018, securing his second straight Pro Bowl nod in the process as Los Angeles went 13-3.
Things started to go downhill from there, however. The Rams posted a 9-7 record in 2019 and then went 10-6 in 2020 (and won a playoff game despite Goff not being the starting quarterback for the postseason). He threw for 4,438 yards, 29 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in what proved to be his final season with the franchise.
Subsequently, Rams general manager Les Snead stated that Goff was “a Ram in this moment” days after the franchise’s season-ending loss. Reports emerged shortly after that Los Angeles expected to have an open quarterback competition if Goff was not traded.
MORE: Los Angeles Rams Depth Chart
Those rumors ultimately came to a head days later when the Rams traded Goff to the Lions along with multiple draft picks in exchange for Stafford, who they evidently viewed as more capable of helping the franchise reach the heights of playoff success they desired.
Stafford’s availability was also well-timed as he and Detroit agreed to part ways with a new head coach and general manager coming in.
It’s a move that quickly worked out for Los Angeles. Stafford led the franchise to a Super Bowl championship in 2021, his first year with the team. He threw for 4,886 yards and 41 touchdowns alongside 17 interceptions that season as the Rams edged out the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in Super Bowl 56 for the franchise’s second Super Bowl title.
Goff, meanwhile, has been key in Detroit’s turnaround from some rough seasons, leading the franchise to its first division title and home playoff game in 30 years. The Lions also put the draft capital to good use in using it to select or trade for other selections that netted key contributors such as running back Jahmyr Gibbs and tight end Sam LaPorta.
MORE: Detroit Lions Depth Chart
Time will tell which team ultimately looks the smartest with Sunday’s playoff clash just the latest metric added to the tally.
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