By Moses Joshua 
Five Years Later, the Franchise-Shifting Trade Still Shapes the Future of Both Detroit and Los Angeles
Almost half a decade after one of the most seismic trades in recent NFL memory, Matthew Stafford has finally offered his own verdict. And in true Stafford fashion, it was thoughtful, sincere, and surprisingly balanced.
During his recent appearance on Let’s Go with Jim Gray on SiriusXM, the former Detroit Lions quarterback—and current MVP contender with the Los Angeles Rams—opened up about the blockbuster deal that swapped him for Jared Goff and a package of high-value draft picks. His conclusion? Both franchises walked away winners.
“Two Successful Teams… Both Sides Got What They Were Looking For”
Jim Gray floated the idea that the now-historic trade ended up benefitting both teams. Stafford didn’t hesitate.
“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,” he said, as quoted by the Detroit Free Press.
He continued:
“Their franchise is as good as it’s been ever in the last handful of years… two successful teams… it looks like one that both sides got kind of what they were looking for out of it.”
Coming from the man who spent 12 seasons carrying the Lions through lean years, that perspective holds weight. Detroit turned the trade pieces into foundational stars. Stafford brought Los Angeles a Super Bowl immediately. In a league where blockbuster deals almost always end lopsided, this one stands as an anomaly—a genuine win-win.
Stafford Reflects on Detroit: “I Wouldn’t Change Those 12 Years for Anything”
The interview wasn’t just about the trade. Gray also asked Stafford what he took away from his years in Detroit, and Stafford’s answer was heartfelt.
“I learned so much about myself. I learned so much about NFL football, tough times, getting through things… My entire family, all four of my kids were born there.”
The 35-year-old quarterback even noted that he still maintains friendships inside the Lions’ building and thinks about his former team often.
“Tough decision to leave… but I love where I am now. I’m having a blast playing football, but I wouldn’t change those 12 years there for anything.”
There’s something poetic in that—no resentment, no second-guessing. Just appreciation for a city that shaped him and a franchise that respected his request for a new chapter.
How the Lions Capitalized on the Trade—and Built a Contender
Detroit’s front office quietly honored Stafford’s desire for a reset after the 2020 season. The public didn’t hear about the request until it was done. The Lions didn’t air it out, didn’t force a standoff, didn’t strong-arm their veteran quarterback.
Instead, they executed a rebuild that would reshape the franchise.
From the Rams’ picks, Detroit ended up with:
- Jameson Williams — No. 12 overall (2022)
- Jahmyr Gibbs — No. 12 overall (2023)
- Sam LaPorta — No. 34 overall (2023)
That trio now forms the core of Detroit’s high-powered offense—critical pieces in the Lions’ 15–2 campaign last season and their rise as one of the NFC’s most exciting, well-constructed young teams.
Meanwhile, the trade gave general manager Brad Holmes the flexibility to restructure the roster from the ground up. And it gave Jared Goff the second act of his career—one that has seen him evolve into a leader, a Pro Bowl-level passer, and the anchor of the Lions’ resurgence.
Stafford, for his part, delivered exactly what L.A. wanted: a Lombardi Trophy in his first year wearing horns.
A Rare NFL Trade Where Everyone Truly Wins
Five years removed from the deal, Stafford’s words feel like the perfect summary.
Detroit got its foundation.
Los Angeles got its championship.
And both quarterbacks found the situations they needed to thrive.
In a league obsessed with “who won the trade,” Stafford may have said it best:
“Two successful teams… both sides got what they were looking for.”