The Los Angeles Rams pushed all of their chips into the middle of the table Saturday night when they traded for former top overall pick Matthew Stafford.
Stafford was traded from the Detroit Lions to the Rams in exchange for Jared Goff, a third-round pick in 2021, a first-round pick in 2022 and a first-round pick in 2023.
This blockbuster move carries a tremendous risk for the win-now Rams. When Goff was picked No.1 overall in 2016, the team moved heaven and earth in order to get Goff.
The Rams gave up a first-round pick, two second-round picks, a third-round pick, a 2017 first-round pick and a 2017 third-round pick to the Titans in exchange for the No. 1 overall pick, a fourth-round pick and a sixth-round pick.
The Goff trade also carries along with it $22 million dead money heading into the 2021 season. L.A. wanted to move off Goff, and they paid a hefty price to do that.
Rams Head Coach Sean McVay has come to the realization that Goff will not be able to take the team to the promised land.
The Rams mortgaged their future for the present, and the only way this trade is looked at positively for Los Angeles is if it ultimately leads to a Lombardi Trophy.
Even though Goff’s reputation has taken a hit over the past few years, Goff was a top 20 quarterback all four seasons he started for the Rams. Goff also made two Pro Bowls and helped the Rams get to the Super Bowl just two years ago.
Since the Rams Super Bowl loss against the New England Patriots, Goff experienced a massive regression. He has 42 touchdown passes and 29 interceptions over the past two seasons.
Even though Stafford is an upgrade over Goff, the discrepancy may not be as big as the Rams believe it is. Stafford has not passed for over 30 touchdowns since 2015, and in his 12-year NFL career, Stafford has never won a playoff game.
The Rams are hoping the tandem of McVay and Stafford will help take the team to heights they were never able to reach with Goff.
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