Per multiple reports, the Detroit Lions are trading Matthew Stafford to the LA Rams for Jared Goff and multiple draft picks, including a 2021 third-round pick, a first-round pick in 2022, and a first-round pick in 2023.
Goff is likely viewed as a bridge quarterback to a rookie as part of the Lions retooling plan for the roster. The Rams will be on the hook for Goff’s $22.2 million signing bonus, but he will still have a large cap hit over the four remaining years on his deal.
With $27.5 million in guaranteed money due in 2021, Goff will surely be a Lion next season. He also carries $15.5 million in guaranteed money in 2022, but that is a livable cap hit if they decide to move on after 2021.
The Rams likely needed to include more draft capital for the Lions to take on Goff’s contract, but adding two future first-round picks makes a lot of sense for a team that is building for two years from now.