What newly acquired QB Matthew Stafford brings to the LA Rams

The speculation is now over, and now rumors have become reality, The LA Rams have acquired quarterback Matthew Stafford from the Detroit  Lions in exchange for two first-round picks, a third-round pick, and quarterback Jared Goff. Matthew Stafford, who made it known to the Lions just a week ago that he felt it was time for his tenure as the teams’ quarterback to end and both parties agreed on that assessment. Stafford ultimately wanted one thing, to be traded to the west coast, and play for the LA Rams.

On the night of Saturday, January 30, 2021, he got his wish. This trade came at a very steep price, and LA Rams GM Les Snead has never backed down from a blockbuster trade.  Of course, he wouldn’t give up this much draft capital and his team’s starting quarterback if he didn’t think Stafford can make the team better. So, what exactly does Matthew Stafford bring to the team?

Consistency:

Since coming into the league in 2009, Matthew Stafford has been one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the entire NFL. Stafford has put up 4,000 plus passing yards and 20 plus touchdown passes in eight out of the last ten seasons. Not only that but had a completion percentage of at least 64 percent in seven of the past ten seasons. When he takes the field for the Rams, he will be accurate and on point, which is something the Rams are looking for.

Performance Under Pressure:

One of the big issues that the Rams had with Jared Goff, was that when pressured, his production would deteriorate. That will not be the case with Matthew Stafford, as he is one of the best quarterbacks when under pressure. Since 2016, Stafford’s combined passer rating of 83.8 is third-best of any quarterback in the NFL. When things break down, numbers don’t lie, Stafford still makes plays, especially in tight windows.

Deep ball

One area of particular frustration is the radius of passing completion for quarterback Jared Goff seemed to shrink over time. Defenses understood this and accelerated the process by launching blitz packages at Goff that converted downfield coverage into quarterback pressure. The result? Turnovers and ban outings.

Stafford may be that ‘older version of Goff’, but Goff is on track to have a great NFL career. He is simply young. Stafford, on the other hand, has matured through his painful growing years. He has mastered his own turnover struggles, has become more consistent, but most of all he still boasts a rocket launcher of an arm. In each of the past ten seasons, his longest pass play has been over half the length of the football field. Talk long ball? Stafford connects those routinely.

Strong Veteran Presence with playmaking ability/ Toughness

Probably the most important thing the Rams are getting in Matthew Stafford is a strong veteran presence with playmaking ability. Matthew Stafford will enter his 13th season in 2021, and has been one of the most underrated players of the NFL while playing for a very bad team. His play was always on display, and his talent was always there. Unfortunately, the team around him wasn’t always there to keep up with his ability.

Another big thing the team is getting is his toughness. There are many tough guys around the NFL, but Matthew Stafford is in a different category. Stafford has been beaten up in his 12 seasons in Detroit and has played through some very significant injuries. It will take everything in him not to play if injured, which is something that has gone unnoticed.

The LA Rams saw some regression in Jared Goff’s play over the past two seasons.  This offseason, the team was very clear that they felt that if an upgrade at the position was available, the team would do it.  Of course, the Lions and Stafford had already agreed to part ways, setting up Stafford as the perfect replacement for Goff.

This trade allows the Rams and the Lions to exchange their quarterbacks,  giving both players a fresh start and the ability to rewrite their careers. LA Rams head coach Sean McVay reportedly fell in love with Matthew Stafford and how his ability projects in the Rams offensive system.  Likewise, Matthew Stafford wanted to play for the Rams.

If you believe in serendipity, you have to be having a great day.  It is almost as though this was meant to be. The divorce papers between the Rams and Jared Goff are signed, and the love at first sight between Stafford and the Rams is about to begin. Can it work? Only time will tell.