Add a team to the Matthew Stafford sweepstakes. The Rams, who have done well to distance themselves from Jared Goff recently, are exploring a deal for the Lions passer.
The Rams are looking into possibilities of a Stafford move, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, who adds Stafford views the team as a contender for a potential trade (Twitter link).
Any Rams dissatisfaction with Goff would be secondary to the current Los Angeles starter’s contract, however. The guarantees in Goff’s four-year, $134MM deal go through 2022. The team does not have an easy out on that contract until 2023, with a 2020 Goff restructure putting more money on future years of this deal. The Rams would be tagged with a staggering $65MM if they released Goff; trading the inconsistent passer would cost the team $22MM.
Sean McVay and GM Les Snead have made comments indicating Goff’s status is less than secure, pointing to the Rams exploring a replacement. As of now, they plan to hold a competition between Goff and backup John Wolford.
A deal to an NFC team would be less likely than the Lions sending Stafford to the AFC, where there are also teams that make sense for the 32-year-old quarterback. The Patriots, Colts and Broncos add up as AFC Stafford suitors, and a recent report indicated the Lions can expect to collect a first-round pick for the 12-year veteran. The Rams do not have a first-round pick this year, having sent it to the Jaguars for Jalen Ramsey. Nevertheless, it appears the Rams are one of the 10-12 teams that have contacted the Lions about Stafford.
There is a newly formed connection between the Rams and Lions, however. The Lions just hired former Rams college scouting director Brad Holmes as their GM, with ex-Rams pro scouting director Ray Agnew now in place as Lions assistant GM. Still, the Rams’ top pick in this year’s draft comes at No. 57. The team has not made a first-round pick since trading up for Goff in 2016.
Watson is the franchise QB I would like in LA.He is still a puppy with multiple pro bowls already.Goff is #2 starter in wins in NFL since he became a starter.Goff & Henderson with a #1 attached enough?I have respect for Stafford but isn’t he an older version of Goff?LA with Donald,Ramsey,& Watson would be the cornerstones of a dynasty!
If your guys top pick is 57th overall, you can probably just cross your names off the Watson list
Hopkins for Johnson. Houston doesn’t always make good moves. Ramsey of the Rams stated Watson will be a Ram next year and not to forget that Watkins has a full no trade and can control where he gets traded to
Watch and learn.SoCal is a desirable location for a gentlemen with multiple talents and aspirations.All the superstars making bank already live here.Watson controls his destination and he has all the power in these negotiations.
Where Watson ‘wants’ to go is only part of the picture. The Rams just plain don’t have nearly the draft capital to compete with what the Dolphins or Jets can offer.
Just my opinion, but ‘just an older version of Goff’ is a big disservice to Stafford. Stafford right now is a better QB.
Yeah, you really do not know what you are talking about, leftcoast. Stafford is considerably better than Goff and the Rams are not close at all regarding having the pieces necessary to enter any Watson discussions. I doubt the Texans would even answer a phone call from the Rams.
With no first round draft picks, the Rams only get Watson if they trade both Donald and Ramsey to the Texans. So don’t hold your breath on that one!
I hope not!Dudes an older version of Goff!Watson 4 Governor….Donald and Ramsey on D & Watson,Akers,Kupp,& Woods on O. Pretty please,get into the Watson sweepstakes.That’s the gift that will keep on giving.Mahomes or Watson,who’s really the most talented QB ?Size,speed,arm strength,intelligence,toughness & respect from your peers and teammates.Minus the Super Bowl they look closer then you think!
You must have never watched Stafford play because he isn’t Goff. Stafford has a much better arm and won’t make the bad decisions Goff is prone to.
Put it down buddy
Mahomes is the better QB and what do you mean by size? You are a troll that has no clue.
Hey compass,troll or Ave guy commenting?what a Richard!
Goff’s contract is a boat anchor for the Rams. So, Stafford is a pipe dream.
Somebody will take Goff. Too many QB needy teams.
Like the Rams?? If McVay doesn’t want him why would another team???
Lol
QB Carousel 2: Attack of the Trades
Been saying this, his best friend kershaw plays for dodgers. Rams are a qb away from being relevant. Great defense just needs that qb to lead the way.
Swap Stafford for Goff and a third round pick.
Rams get an upgrade at QB in Stafford, who is also cheaper. Stafford under McVay should be good considering he’s never had a good HC/OC other than Jim Caldwell and look how good he was under Caldwell.
Not to mention he will also have Cooper Kupp, Rob Woods, Van Jefferson, Cam Akers, Tyler Higbee and possibly a couple others on offence to work with.
Lions don’t wait Goff or his contract and they want a 1st RD pick. Lions and Rams won’t make a deal unless a third team joins the convo.
If Goff can be released after 2021 with no penalty, a Stafford for Goff swap is not out of the question, but the Rams would need to acquire a 1st round pick somehow to include in the deal. Goff would start in 2021 to help groom whichever rookie QB Detroit drafts. But Detroit will require at least a 1st rounder if not more as they would be helping LA out by taking on Goff’s contract. They would have no long term plans for Goff as their QB
Goff is guaranteed 15 mil in 2022. That’s the cap for cutting him…
I simply don’t understand why teams continue to defer staggering cap hits. At some point they always come back to bite them in the ass. 100% of the time.
I’m not an expert, but my lazy observation is that it’s a beneficial loophole because you can get a better team now, but when the big cost guy flops or leaves, it’s a built in excuse for the org to effectively tank for a better pick and come out with a clean cap the following year and fans blame the big ticket guy for the sucky year.
I may have to change my handle to “Lazy Observation.” I can identify…that feels right.
Snead is definitely in on Watson…Never a doubt of that! Can it be done is the only question. Texas has connections to Goff on staff as does Detroit as already indicated! Snead is also in on Stafford for obvious reasons & he should be as a part of his GM job! The better QB fit for McVay etal is for sure Watson with the same Agent as Jalen Ramsey. Snead can make it work but it will be costly for future impacts….but the best Cap fit and a measurable upgrade is Stafford. Stafford makes Rams better then staying with Goff/Wolford however one caveat is that actually Goff is done sooner or later with Snead/McVay etal…sooner the better cause it is not fixable! Something will happen before training camp opens! Stafford and some Cap relief will work, but Watson is the dream QB of course! Realistic?
Is that a benefit??? Knowing Goff doesn’t seem to equal wanting him as your teams QB. See McVay, Sean…
Best team rams, colts, or saints.
Why would he go to New England. Exactly zero playmakers on the offensive side and I think it is clear who the real leader of this team was. How many titles did the egomaniac Belicheat cost the Patriots over the years trading vets that wanted paid and not bringing in playmakers for Brady.
Well New England has close to $70M in cap space this year so they will definitely address their skill positions. They’ll bring in an established TE like Hunter Henry or Jonnu Smith and sign a couple of established WRs as well. They have a very solid O-Line and good running game too. With that said, I’m not sure Bill will give up a 1st round pick for him. New Orleans certainly will. I could see NE sending a 2nd round pick to SF from Jimmy G. Bill still loves him after all these years.
Snead and McVay talking down about Goff is going to help them trade him how?
Teams continue to expand coaching staffs to ridiculous numbers yet apparently none of these guys are capable of developing the talent that is drafted. Does anyone else see a disconnect here?
Rams could be postering for a discount ie Big Ben.Apologies to you lions fans but Stafford is not an upgrade in talent or value over Goff.Staffords good but he doesn’t have Goffs resume in the playoffs.
Current contracts are not an issue if the players involved in the trade are willing to renegotiate them. The players clearly won’t give any money back, but the term of the contract can be changed in order to make the dead money easier for their former team to live with.