The Detroit Lions have traded quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for quarterback Jared Goff, a third round pick in 2021, and first round picks in 2022 and 2023, according to Tom Pelissero of The NFL Network.
Pelissero also reported that the Rams will inherit the final two years of Stafford’s contract worth $43 million. Detroit will carry $17.8 million of dead cap in 2021. For the Lions, Goff has $43 million guaranteed left on his current deal.
There were rumblings within the recent weeks that Goff and head coach Sean McVay were not getting along and that their relationship could be spilt. McVay was all-in on Stafford and made sure his front office went out and got his guy.
It had been reported that there were at least seven realistic teams that were attempting to make the trade for Stafford. Pelissero also reported that multiple teams offered first-round picks in this year’s draft.
According to Mike Klis of 9News in Denver, the Broncos were one of the final three teams in on the Stafford deal. Klis added that Stafford was intrigued by Denver’s young roster and Vic Fangio’s defense. The Broncos had multiple offers on the table for the Lions, but they were nowhere near what the Rams were willing to give up.
Denver general manager George Paton mentioned in his introductory press conference that the Broncos would be aggressive, but not reckless. Denver owns the No. 9 overall pick in April’s draft.
The Lions currently hold the 7th overall pick in this year’s draft and will not need to worry about addressing the quarterback position. Detroit has many needs on their roster and will have a top 10 pick this year and multiple first-round picks for the next two years. All said, this is a good haul coming back for the Lions.
The Rams on the other hand will now not be drafting in the first round until 2024. Unless Los Angeles make trades to get back into the first round, that would be seven straight years without drafting in the first round.
To add intrigue to the situation, the Lions are scheduled to travel to Los Angeles next season to take on the Rams.
More from The Woody Paige Sports Network:
- Betting odds for where Deshaun Watson will play in 2021
- Woody Paige: That time I played blackjack with Michael Jordan in Monte Carlo
- Atlanta Falcons lose by accidentally scoring a touchdown
- Woody Paige: Denver Broncos could become NFL’s version of New York Knicks
- Cartoon: 2020 settled the debate — Tom Brady was more important than Bill Belichick
- John Elway’s 7 best moments as General Manager of the Denver Broncos
- Here’s why the Lions and Cowboys always play on Thanksgiving Day
