On Jan. 31, 2021, the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams completed a trade that would shake up the NFL, causing immediate ramifications across the football landscape. The Lions sent franchise QB Matthew Stafford to the Rams for QB Jared Goff and several draft picks.
Why would Detroit trade Stafford? He was the Lions’ franchise headliner for a decade, but Detroit was never able to build a winner around him. Stafford asked the Lions organization to trade him, preferably to a winner, and the team agreed.
Los Angeles appeared to be Stafford’s first choice, and the veteran signal-caller got his wish. Detroit may have been able to strike a better deal elsewhere, but they did right by their former franchise QB.
Years later, and after the draft capital is spent, let’s look back at the Goff/Stafford trade.
Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford Trade Details
The Lions received:
- QB Jared Goff
- CB Ifeatu Melifonwu (2021 third-round pick)
- WR Jameson Williams (2022 first-round pick)
- DL Josh Paschal (2022 second-round pick)
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs (2023 first-round pick)
- TE Sam LaPorta (2023 second-round pick)
- DT Brodric Martin (2023 third-round pick)
The Rams received:
- QB Matthew Stafford
Which Players Were Involved in the Goff/Stafford Trade?
Stafford was the marquee name in the trade. He was tired of playing for a perpetual loser in the Lions, and the Rams saw Stafford as the missing piece to a Super Bowl team.
The Rams were correct, as Stafford led them to a Super Bowl title during his first season under center.
“I asked to go to a team that was ready to win a championship,” Stafford said. “There were a few teams on that list. There were a few teams that were not on that list. And they were respectful of that and understood completely. I had thoughts and reasons for each one of them.”
Many NFL analysts considered Goff a “throw-in” at the time of the trade. Goff has played significantly better than expected and has provided solid QB play for the Lions. According to general manager Brad Holmes back in August 2023, the Lions were openly discussing a potential contract extension with their quarterback.
“I think the transparency has been good, so we’ll see how it goes,” Holmes said when asked then about potential extensions for Goff and left guard Jonah Jackson. “Good dialogue.”
Goff, on the other hand, was very clear that his feelings of disappointment after the trade dissipated quickly after talking to the Lions.
“You don’t want to be in the wrong place,” reflected Goff back then. “It became increasingly clear that was the case. [The trade] is something that I’m hopeful is going to be so good for my career.”
While Goff said he was disappointed and upset upon learning of the trade, he added that his mood brightened within 30 minutes of speaking to the Lions and hearing about their enthusiasm for him.
Who Won the Goff/Stafford Trade?
On a surface level, it would be easy to say that the Rams were the winners in this trade because Stafford pushed them over the top. That very year they hoisted the Lombardi Trophy.
However, the Lions are also winners in this one. Think about the state of Detroit’s franchise when they completed this trade. They were looked at as a rebuilding team looking to start fresh and offload talent for draft capital. Well, Goff ended up excelling that rebuild.
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The Lions have taken the draft picks from the Rams and have accumulated plenty of exciting young talent. The acquired young stars, combined with Goff’s veteran presence, have propelled Detroit to the top of the NFC North standings.
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