Granted the blockbuster trade is not yet official and won’t be for over six more weeks, but the reactions to the mega-deal between the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams are flying fast and furious.
The deal:
The Lions send QB Matthew Stafford to the Rams for QB Jared Goff, first-round draft picks in 2022 and 2023 and a third-round pick in this year’s NFL draft.
After saying they were going to trade away Stafford, the franchise’s unquestioned best QB of the last 60 years, Detroit made good on the promise.
Here’s a sampling of the opinions from some in the national media and other from Lions fans on the first real move of the Brad Holmes/Dan Campbell era. The takes are diverse, to say the least…
The Rams paid a 1-3 for Stafford and another 1 to dump the Goff contract–No one was paying two 1s, but by taking the Goff deal, the Lions go a huge haul.
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) January 31, 2021
To understand the value of what the #Lions received for Matthew Stafford: Detroit had a 2021 1st rounder on the table from a few teams. They chose to take on Jared Goff & his guaranteed money, plus two future 1st rounders, instead. Stafford wanting to be in LA helped spur things.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 31, 2021
Last night, a robbery took place in the NFL, and the main culprits of the crime are the Lions' front office. The Lions traded Matthew Stafford to the LA Rams for Goff and several draft picks in a move that will change the franchise for years to come. https://t.co/RTkWwAgOsj
— Kory Woods (@KoryEWoods) January 31, 2021
Holy shit man that’s a lot of picks for Stafford
— Drew Magary (@drewmagary) January 31, 2021
When Stafford played for Detroit, they said, “He sucks, no trade value, good luck with that.”
2 first rounders and 3rd, and QB…
Yeah. Kiss my ass. #OnePride
— CB FROM DC (@cbfromdcc) January 31, 2021
Stafford goes to one of the most qb friendly situations in the NFL and Goff goes to one of the worst
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) January 31, 2021
Count me in as calling this a win/win trade. Rams get the upgrade at QB, Lions get a pair of firsts and can still be in a position to draft a QB and sit him for a year (Lance, Fields, Wilson). Or at @JeffRisdon noted, could even be someone still in college.
— Bill Riccette (@Bill_Riccette) January 31, 2021
Agreed. But the fact that they were willing to do it for all that clearly shows they LOVE Stafford and think he’s basically the whole missing piece https://t.co/KhV3hWQ5xy
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) January 31, 2021
Ya know what’s gonna annoy me the most?
Matt Stafford’s eventual Kia commercial. LA athletes and Kia man. THAT WON’T KEEP THE KIDS SAFE LIKE YOUR FORD DID MATTY
(sobs in Honolulu blue)
— It’s A Whole Drew Year! (@bigdrewtweets) January 31, 2021
He’s where I struggle. Everyone says Stafford will be fully energized and play like a new man in LA. Why doesn’t Goff get the same benefit of the doubt with Lynn and Brunell. Lynn did a fantastic job with Herbert and it’s no secret he and McVay had issues for a long time.
— Andy Doyle (@hockeydad1999) January 31, 2021
I’m super stoked! I’m on the clouds! I’m hoping Goff comes in here and plays lights out just to give everyone the big middle finger. 🤞🤞🤞
— Koula (@koulakarma) January 31, 2021
While I'm going to miss the hell out of Stafford, I do want to say this:
It feels good that the Lions finally parted ways with a legend in an amicable fashion.
Let's hope that's one of many changes coming to this franchise.
— Jeremy Reisman (@DetroitOnLion) January 31, 2021
