LA Rams and Goff need to focus on future, not past

Divorce. The permanent parting of a relationship once viewed to be permanent is a messy business. If you haven’t been there, try not to go there. The LA Rams‘ long-term relationship with quarterback Jared Goff was thought to be permanent less than two years ago. Today, we refer to their history together in the past tense.

It’s over folks. The ties between head coach Sean McVay and quarterback Jared Goff are over. Some will celebrate the end of the Jared Goff chapter of the LA Rams history. Other’s turn the page with eager anticipation.  But for Jared Goff, this is a time of some mourning. McVay has not been a head coach over any other starting quarterback.  We are heading into unchartered waters.

In their passion or ignorance, some have, are, and will sling mud at the young quarterback from the University of California who has definitely played a major role in restoring the LA Rams to relevance. With a four-year record of 43-21, and a postseason record of 3-3. He even earned a victory in the NFC Championship Game, something only five NFC quarterbacks can claim over the past five years.

All wrapped up in a 26-year-old quarterback at the cusp of hitting his prime. Expensive? Yes. But don’t believe for one moment’s time that Goff is not viewed highly among NFL circles. He is a dangerous quarterback with sky’s-the-limit upside. His success does not diminish the value of incoming quarterback Matthew Stafford.

If the truth is known, I believe that the quarterbacking careers of both Goff and Stafford are eerily similar when comparing their first five NFL seasons. So why the trade? Well, the Rams exchange the potential of Jared Goff for the realization of Matthew Stafford.  For the Rams, Stafford is an ideal plug-n-play quarterback who has the immediate win-now capability. For the Lions, Goff resets the clock back six years, and with three valuable draft picks set the Lions up to build a true contender around Goff.