After Jared Goff fell out of favor with the Los Angeles Rams, it became clear the Rams were looking to upgrade the quarterback position. Once the Detroit Lions jettisoned the previous regime and looked to start fresh, it became clear Matthew Stafford’s days were numbered. This turned into a perfect scenario for a Rams team that had fallen below expectations.
The Rams felt Stafford was one the missing cogs to turn the tide in hopes of making a run to the Super Bowl, and it seemed they would do almost do anything to bring Stafford to Los Angeles. It was an added benefit the Lions wanted to do Stafford right and fulfill his wishes, which made the Rams an ideal destination. With the Rams packaging, a slew of draft picks and Jared Goff, they were able to bring in their guy, and it is now one victory away from capturing a Super Bowl win.
Many Lions fans are rooting for Stafford to finally get his glory after dealing with what seems like constant rebuilding in the Lions organization. Still, there is one person in particular who you may think is taking it harder than most, and that is none other than the player Stafford replaced in Los Angeles but is happy for all parties involved.
In a recent interview with Bally Sports, Goff opened up about his feelings about his former teammates.
“Most of all, I’m happy for those guys because I know how hard they’ve worked, and they deserve it,” Goff said. “Of course, as a human, you feel like you can be missing out at times. But I think about, if I was in that situation, how would they feel about me? They’d be equally as thrilled for me.”
Goff understands the business of the NFL, and it is always “what have you done for me lately” and loses interest just as quickly as it was gained. You would be badly mistaken if you think that was any ill-will Goff has for Stafford.
“I’ve always been a huge fan of Matthew’s as a player and as a person. I know that what he went through the first part of his career was tough, and seeing him battle through that and get his opportunity now, it’s amazing. You root for people like that. It’s impossible not to. And it’s impossible not to root for good things to happen to good people.”
Surely watching an organization you help lead to a Super Bowl during your tenure can hurt a little bit, but being the professional and person Goff is, it through the moon for his former team and Stafford. Most would like to rub salt in the wound, especially since he was dealt with a rebuilding Lions team on top of it all; it allows Goff to start fresh in Detroit and build his identity and help them out of mediocrity.
