Jared Goff, the top pick by the Los Angeles Rams in the 2016 NFL Draft, was long viewed as their franchise leader at quarterback.
But things shifted drastically after the 2020 season when Goff was sent to the Detroit Lions in a major deal for Matthew Stafford.
Goff shared that the Rams gave him no indication or contact about their plans before the trade happened. Head coach Sean McVay later admitted he regretted how the organization managed the situation.
In the newest season of Netflix’s “Quarterback,” Goff opened up about how the Rams failed to communicate with him about the trade.
Though the ending between Goff and the Rams was rocky, both parties have flourished in their new environments.
Stafford quickly won a Super Bowl in his debut season with the Rams, and expectations remain high heading into 2025.
Goff, meanwhile, has played the finest football of his career in Detroit, nearly delivering the team’s first Super Bowl appearance multiple times.
Since the trade, Goff has played the Rams three times, with two wins, including the 2024 NFC Wild Card Game. The 30-year-old broke a long drought by becoming the first Lions QB to win a playoff game since Erik Kramer in 1991.
Goff later insisted he holds no resentment toward the Rams
Not long after the 2021 trade to Detroit, Goff stated there were no hard feelings toward his former team.
“I’m grateful for my years there. So many awesome memories, incredible friendships, and former teammates from that time. I gained so much,” Goff said.
“There’s no bitterness. I’m focused on the future and this new chapter — it begins now. Still, I look back fondly at those great moments and all I learned.”
“We had real success together. I was fortunate to achieve a lot there. As I said, it ended differently than I hoped. But change is constant in this league, and this offseason, change included this trade. I’m embracing it.”
Matt Borelli writes about the Rams for Rams Newswire, and also contributes to Lakers Nation. Recently, the Rams enhanced their defensive front by selecting Michigan edge rusher Josaiah Stewart with the No. 90 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
In his final year at Michigan, Stewart logged 33 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles across 11 games. He racked up 150 tackles and 30 sacks over 51 games with Michigan after starting out at Coastal Carolina.
With Michael Hoecht leaving via free agency, Stewart has a chance to earn snaps early as a situational pass rusher — if he impresses in training camp.
Still, the 22-year-old says he’s open to whatever responsibilities the Rams give him if it helps them win, according to Wyatt Miller of TheRams.com:
“One thing I definitely learned at Michigan was embracing your role. I came in from Coastal as the guy, a star pass rusher and All-American, then became a rotational player at Michigan — and that humbled me. It showed me what it takes to win. I’m about winning, man. I’ll do anything to help.”
Stewart’s flexibility from college roles should aid him as he transitions into the Rams’ system in 2025.
L.A. has high hopes for Stewart, with Sean McVay comparing him to Braden Fiske and Jared Verse — two rookies who followed similar college-to-pro paths and excelled. The Rams’ defensive line is youthful and deep, and Stewart could be a valuable addition.
Josaiah Stewart shares emotions after being drafted by Rams
Reflecting on being picked by the Rams, Stewart said it was the payoff for years of hard work and dedication.
“When that call came, I was overwhelmed, man — I couldn’t keep it together,” Stewart recalled after hearing from GM Les Snead and coach McVay.
“Even now, remembering that moment and thinking of everyone who stood by me, all the sacrifices, their pride in me — that meant everything. I do this for them. I’m just thankful. I’m thrilled to be a Ram. Let’s go.”
