The Detroit Lions could not put both Matthew Stafford and their own franchise in a better position, which sent the team’s everyday leader to the Los Angeles Rams. Stafford was sent to an organization that was a Super Bowl contender with him in the quarterfinals, while the Lions received Jared Goff, the first round draft picks in 2022 and 2023 and a third round in 2021.
Stafford had one trade request from Detroit and was much appreciated for the Lions for fulfilling his wish.
“What’s accurate is – and this is an incredible thing by (the Lions) – I asked to go to a team that was ready to win a championship,” Stafford said via Detroit’s Mitch Album Free-Press. And you know, there were some teams on that list. There were some teams that were not on the list. And they respected it and understood it well. I had thoughts and reasons for each of them. ‘
While Stafford had a list of teams he wanted to go to – he did not confirm the report or deny that he told the Lions not to trade him for the Patriots – the main goal was to compete for a championship after he for a team like Detroit, a franchise that has won just 79 games since Stafford’s rookie year (2009), equaled the sixth-least win in the NFL at that time. The Rams have won 43 games since the start of the 2017 season (Sean McVay’s first year as head coach) – tied for fourth place in the league.
Stafford did address the idea that he was unhappy with Matt Patricia, who was sacked after being 13-29-1 as coach of the Lions and returning to the Patriots as an assistant: ‘He and I had a good relationship, no matter what anyone wants. says, ‘said Stafford.
Stafford has the most passes (45,109) through a player’s first 165 games in NFL history and his 282 passes are the seventh most through a player’s first 165 games. Stafford had the most returns in the NFL (31) in the fourth quarter since his rookie season in 2009, and his 38 winning games are in second place in the league (just behind Drew Brees).
Playing for a Super Bowl contestant could be Stafford’s path to the Hall of Fame, especially if he can win a championship.