The trade between the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams, which sent Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff in opposite directions, was a blockbuster move.
Stafford wanted a chance at a ring, and Goff's career stagnated in L.A., so the move can now be seen as a success for both.
Stafford won his ring, and Goff's career has received a serious jolt as he leads the Lions into a new era under head coach Dan Campbell.
Looking back on the trade, Goff says it's the best thing that's ever happened to him.
"In hindsight, (being traded to Detroit) was the greatest thing that ever happened to me, for my career and my development as a human," Goff said on the Trading Cards podcast.
While Goff's first year as a Lion wasn't the best (3-10-1 record), the following season -- 2022 -- he was far better, leading the team to a 9-8 record. They narrowly missed out on a playoff spot. Goff earned Pro Bowl honors for his 4,438 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions.
Last season, the Lions, under Goff, arrived as a serious NFC threat. They finished with a 12-5 record and made it to the NFC Championship game, which they should have won after having the San Francisco 49ers reeling at 24-7 at halftime.
So the move for Goff has seen his career get a kickstart after his time in L.A. was starting to stagnate his career.
Now, as we enter the 2024 season, the Lions are one of the favorites for the NFC, as it shows that sometimes, the grass might actually be greener.
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