According to reports, the Detroit Lions have agreed to trade quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams. But did the Motor City get the fair market value they wanted for their longtime starting passer?
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Lions will receive a former first-round pick in quarterback Jared Goff as part of the exchange. Detroit will also get a haul of future draft selections, including the Rams’ first-round picks in both 2022 and 2023. The Lions will also receive a third-round selection in April’s draft.
The Rams traded away their first-round selection in 2021 to acquire cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Jacksonville Jaguars. But they were able to make up for that in this deal by sending two future first-rounders to Detroit.
Presumably, Goff will now become the de facto starter in Motown. Last season, the former number one overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft threw for 3,952 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He led the Rams to a 10-6 record as a 15-game starter.
The 26-year old Goff inked a four-year, $134 million contract extension back in 2019. He’s under contract through 2024. But this move is essentially a salary dump for Los Angeles. And the Lions apparently agreed to take on the player as part of the deal.
Despite Goff moving to Detroit, the team isn’t handcuffed to him as their starter. In fact, quite the opposite. The Lions could easily view the former Rams’ quarterback as a bridge player for a rookie passer they select in the upcoming NFL draft.
The Lions own the seventh overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. And there are expected to be several viable quarterback prospects to choose from when their number is called. Detroit could easily decide to groom a young passer under Goff until they feel he’s ready to take the reins.
The Matthew Staford trade will not be official until March 17, which is the start of the NFL’s new league year. But it appears the Detroit Lions did indeed get fair market value for their soon-to-be 33-year old passer. Maybe even a little more.