LA Rams Goff-Stafford trade: Way too soon winners and losers

Some reasons to hold off judging this deal?

The only measuring stick available for the time being is to measure what the players or teams wanted to do and how effectively they accomplished those goals.  Matthew Stafford wanted to play for a contender.  The LA Rams wanted to be rid of Jared Goff. The Detroit Lions wanted more draft picks and a competent quarterback. Jared Goff just wants to play and be respected.

So while we can assess whether or not the various players hit their intended target at this early juncture, there’s no way to tell whether it was the right target. What do I mean?

Well, look at the Rams track record with skill players so far? The Rams traded with the New England Patriots for WR Brandin Cooks in 2018.  The same Rams traded away WR Brandin Cooks in 2020. And to be perfectly honest, the fact that Brandin Cooks put up 1,150 yards and six touchdowns for just a second-round pick seems to have made a solid case for the Texans as the early leaders in that exchange.  A year ago? A second-round pick for Cooks and the Rams 2022 fourth-round pick seemed to favor the Rams overwhelmingly.

For all of this to come out in the Rams favor, getting to the playoffs is not enough. The Rams were 1-1 in the playoffs in 2020. Now, the Rams must win in the 17-game regular season, and then win in the post-season. That requires more than raw talent or even a great playbook. It will require a solid contribution from the entire Rams roster, the ability to stay healthy for 20+ football games, and even the cessation of risks associated with the coronavirus pandemic.

I think LA Rams head coach Sean McVay was on the right track. It never was about winning this trade. It’s about winning the Super Bowl.