When Brad Holmes took over as the Detroit Lions’ general manager, one of his first major moves was trading Matthew Stafford to the Rams in exchange for Jared Goff and two first-round picks. At the time, many saw Goff as a throw-in to make the deal work financially, especially after Stafford led Los Angeles to a Super Bowl win. But Holmes never saw it that way.
Speaking at the league meetings, Holmes emphasized that he always believed in Goff, having worked with him closely during his time with the Rams. While outsiders doubted Goff’s future, Holmes saw a young quarterback with plenty of room to grow. That belief has paid off, with Goff leading the Lions to back-to-back NFC North titles and establishing himself as the franchise’s leader.
Holmes admitted that watching the Rams win it all in his first year as Lions GM was tough, especially as Detroit struggled through a 3-13-1 season. But he was happy for his former colleagues in Los Angeles and received credit from them for his role in building their championship team. Now, as the Lions continue their rise, Holmes’ confidence in Goff remains a driving force behind Detroit’s success.
Lions GM Brad Holmes Never Doubted Jared Goff, Unlike the Outside World
