The Detroit Lions made everyone’s Saturday night a little more interesting. A blockbuster trade that sent Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams for two future first-round picks, a 2021 third-round pick and Jared Goff was a deal not many were predicting. As soon as news dropped that Stafford had asked his way out of Detroit, most were speculating Detroit would possibly pick up a first-round pick and maybe a little more.
The inclusion of Jared Goff and his contract will be the debated point of his contract, because without him, it’s an easy win for the Lions. A 33-year-old Stafford for two first-round picks is a steal.
But it seems unlikely the Lions had that deal on the table anywhere else, even if there are reports that Detroit turned down some other pretty significant options. Instead, they ate some serious salary cap for the next two seasons for a young quarterback whose career has collapsed in the last two year for the extra bump in draft capital.
So today’s Question of the Day is:
What grade do you give the Lions’ trade of Matthew Stafford?
My answer: I think this trade is a solid B+.
While it’s not ideal to take on Goff’s bloated contract, there has to be a push and a pull when you’re hauling in two first-round picks for an aging quarterback. Goff’s contract only hurts the Lions for the next two seasons, and it’s unlikely they’re going to compete for much in those years, anyways.
In the meantime, the Lions get a little immediate draft compensation this year with a third-round pick, and they get a serviceable quarterback to bridge the gap between now and whoever the team chooses as their next franchise passer. Maybe there’s even a little belief Goff could be that guy, but I’m not personally buying that right now.
By the time 2023 rolls around, the Lions will likely be Goff-free with no salary cap implications other than the lack of rolled-over money, and they’ll be two-first round picks richer. I’ll absolutely take that for a team that needed a full rebuild.
Poll
What grade do you give the Matthew Stafford trade?
This poll is closed
-
70%
A
-
22%
B
-
4%
C
-
1%
D
-
1%
F