Matthew Stafford: Out as a Lion, in as a Ram

It’s nearly over. The LA Rams chapter of head coach Sean McVay and quarterback Jared Goff has nearly ended, and not on a high note. But that is water under the bridge. There are no more reasons for mudslinging, diagnosing the sleights of one or the other. This is about today and tomorrow. This is about the LA Rams’ interest in acquiring veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford from the Detroit Lions. Interest that ran so hot and deep that the Rams were willing to part with a small ransom.

Almost over? Well, technically yes. The LA Rams and Detroit Lions have agreed to a trade ‘in principle’. But nothing becomes official until the 2021 NFL Season officially begins on March 17, 2021, and 1:00 pm PT. Then, the trade will be officially recognized and sanctioned by the NFL. At that point, it’s over.

The Rams surrendered a 26-year-old quarterback Jared Goff. They added a third-round pick (likely the compensatory pick received for losing Brad Holmes to the Lions) in 2021, a first-round pick in 2022, and a first-round pick in 2023. In return, the LA Rams will welcome 32-year-old quarterback Matthew Stafford to the fold.

This was not the way the script was intended when the LA Rams exited Super Bowl LIII.  Yes, the team had lost to the New England Patriots by a score of 13-3. But head coach Sean McVay was young, and starting quarterback Jared Goff was far younger. In two years, they had combined to become the best team in the NFC.

Just two years later, the Rams are fast-forwarding the time machine. Matthew Stafford is as much at risk of being misunderstood as Jared Goff. He is the quarterback who has been described as one who has almost limitless talent. Almost in a similar fashion to Jared Goff playing in the shadow of McVay, Stafford played in the shadow of wide receiver Calvin Johnson, a.k.a. Megatron.  Johnson and Stafford played together through 2015.