By Moses Joshua 
The former Detroit franchise quarterback reflects on legacy, loyalty, and a trade that reshaped two contenders.
A Reunion Filled With Respect, Not Resentment
Matthew Stafford’s long-awaited matchup against the Detroit Lions comes with far more emotion than tension. Despite the blockbuster trade that sent him to Los Angeles in 2021 — a deal that launched two franchises in dramatically different directions — the Rams quarterback made one thing clear this week: he harbors no bitterness toward his former team.
Speaking on the “Let’s Go!” podcast with Jim Gray, Stafford reflected on what it means to square off against the franchise that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2009 and relied on him as its centerpiece for 12 seasons.
“Obviously, I’m happy to be where I am, and I feel like the Lions obviously have capitalized on a lot of the picks and players that they were able to acquire in that trade,” Stafford told Gray. “Their franchise is as good as it’s been, ever, in the last handful of years.”
For a player who poured more than a decade into a team that rarely surrounded him with playoff-caliber support, his sincerity stands out — and speaks volumes.
A Trade Without Regret — and Without a Loser
Gray raised a topic that has fueled debate since the moment Detroit and Los Angeles swapped quarterbacks: did both sides actually win?
Stafford didn’t hesitate.
“Two successful teams… really good coaches, good football programs at the moment… it looks like one that both sides got what they were looking for out of it.”
It’s hard to disagree.
- Stafford delivered Los Angeles a Super Bowl in his first season.
- The Lions rebuilt their roster around Jared Goff and multiple first-round picks, turning them into NFC contenders for the first time in decades.
Detroit transformed those picks into key offensive stars:
- Jameson Williams
- Jahmyr Gibbs
- Sam LaPorta
Those three — along with Goff’s resurgence — helped drive the Lions to a 15–2 record and back-to-back NFC North titles.
Meanwhile, Stafford is playing MVP-caliber football at 37, throwing an NFL-leading 35 touchdowns heading into Week 15.
Two franchises. Two new identities. One deal that changed everything — for the better.
No “Wasted Years”: Stafford Sets the Record Straight
Despite the Lions making only three playoff appearances during Stafford’s 12-year tenure — all losses — he pushed back hard on the idea that Detroit squandered his prime.
“No, because we were all trying,” Stafford said. “Sometimes it just doesn’t work… My career was no more important than anybody else’s that was out there working their tail off for us to be good.”
It’s the same professionalism that defined his years in Detroit. Even now, with franchise passing records and thousands of memories behind him, Stafford refuses to distance himself from the city that shaped him.
He spoke warmly of Detroit’s impact on him:
- He said he learned resilience.
- He built lifelong friendships inside the building.
- All four of his children were born there.
“Tough decision to leave,” he admitted, “but I wouldn’t change those 12 years there for anything.”
A High-Stakes Reunion in Los Angeles
Now comes the emotional wrinkle: Stafford’s Rams, holders of a 10–3 record and the NFC’s top seed, host the surging Lions this Sunday in a marquee matchup.
Detroit enters at 8–5, fighting for positioning in the NFC playoff race — and carrying the momentum of several years of growth that Stafford himself helped set in motion.
Kickoff is set for 4:25 p.m. EST at SoFi Stadium, but for many fans in Detroit, this game feels like more than a time slot on the schedule. It’s the full-circle moment that has been building ever since Stafford asked for — and was granted — a fresh start.
A quarterback who gave everything to Detroit now faces the team that finally found its footing after he left.
And judging by Stafford’s words, there’s no resentment — only respect, reflection, and a deep pride in what both franchises have become.