Matthew Stafford trade: Winners and losers after Lions, Rams strike blockbuster quarterback deal
The trade terms: Los Angeles gets Stafford, a clear upgrade at quarterback ahead of an obvious bid for an immediate title run, in exchange for Goff, a 2022 first-round pick, 2023 first-rounder, as well as a 2021 third-rounder.
Who won the deal? Who lost it? And which other players and teams around the league will benefit — or hurt — because of it? Here’s the rundown:
Winner
Matthew Stafford
He wouldn’t have played good soldier for more than a decade in Detroit if he didn’t appreciate the chance to lead the Lions, but this was past due. The Lions are about to rebuild (again). Plus, this isn’t just any old change of scenery. Stafford now gets to call sunny California his home, with Sean McVay as his head coach, and all kinds of promising weapons around him, not to mention a stout defense. His shot to make a true postseason impact should come sooner rather than later.
Loser
Jared Goff
If Goff couldn’t make it work under the warm glow of his home-state Cali skies and the innovative tutelage of McVay, just wait until he walks into chilly Motor City to play for Dan “Kneecaps” Campbell. It’ll be kind of fun to see him suited up in honolulu blue, but even that sight might not last more than a few weeks if he’s going to be playing alongside an overhauled, long-term project of a roster. Unless he gets dealt again, with Detroit simply serving as a mediator to absorb his big money, Goff is in trouble.
Jason Slack Is a Senior Sports Writer for the Sports Core Network and also part of the Sports Core Report.
