Well, this is awkward.
That’s probably what Michael Brockers and Jared Goff will say to each other when they arrive in Detroit as teammates again with the Detroit Lions. A week ago, Brockers said Matthew Stafford was a “level up” from Goff after the Rams and Lions agreed to swap quarterbacks.
It wasn’t a harsh criticism of Goff, and Brockers was in an impossible situation by being asked if his new quarterback is an upgrade over his old one, but it’s relevant now that the Rams are finalizing a trade that will send Brockers to the Lions, reuniting the two players in Detroit.
“Is it a level up? In my heart, deeply, just understanding what he brings, it’s a level up,” Brockers told TMZ Sports. “It’s a level up. … I don’t want to say a lock for the Super Bowl, but with having a quarterback like that, and just seeing what we did last year and just seeing what he can bring to this team, there’s no wonder why we can’t [win it all].”
Twitter certainly didn’t forget Brockers’ comments about Goff, drudging them back up after the news dropped of the Rams’ and Lions’ swap being finalized.
When Jared Goff sees Michael Brockers in the #Lions facility and remembers Brockers calling Matt Stafford a “level up” at quarterback. pic.twitter.com/MXS5UTv6xP
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) March 17, 2021
How it started: How it’s going: pic.twitter.com/5ZAxQ6UncH
— PFF (@PFF) March 17, 2021
Lmaoooo. What does Brockers say to Goff upon arrival? https://t.co/y665bNgiJC pic.twitter.com/FxRMMzWWWt
— Samuel Gold (@SamuelRGold) March 17, 2021
Brockers to Goff when he gets to Detroit pic.twitter.com/L3lUgRf21v
— HoldenCantor (@HoldenCantor) March 17, 2021
Rams traded Goff to Detroit for Stafford.
Brockers called Stafford a level up from Goff.
Rams then trade Brockers to Detroit.Brockers right now… #awkward pic.twitter.com/iMeq9XvmZq
— ൩ﺃ८ɧลᕦ⎝ ⵙ⎝ﺃ🜄ᕦГ (@MrOliv3r) March 17, 2021
Brockers when he sees Goff: pic.twitter.com/kZuh1mfjTA
— Staffords 5th Child (@TheStafford5) March 17, 2021
When Jared Goff sees Michael Brockers in Detroit after the comments he made about Stafford being a level up from him! Lol pic.twitter.com/T894pfgO22
— Die Hard Den Podcast: Presented by DLOTP (@DieHardDenPodc1) March 17, 2021
Jared Goff when Brockers walks in the locker room. https://t.co/UYwBESnJyp pic.twitter.com/RaTojKx2fd
— Jax Falcone 🚫 (@DynoGameTheory) March 17, 2021
It’s worth pointing out that Brockers wasn’t strictly critical of Goff on the QB’s way out of Los Angeles. He also had some good things to say about Goff, praising his toughness and experience on the field.
Having been teammates with Goff for the last five seasons, Brockers got to see Goff win playoff games and lead the Rams to the Super Bowl firsthand, also watching him beat the Seahawks in the playoffs with nine fingers.
“They’re getting a tough individual,” Brockers said. “He played in a game in Seattle with nine fingers. I’ve seen this man get hit plenty of times and stand back up and go at it. You’re getting a mentally tough player that doesn’t let a lot get to him. And he has a lot of experience. You can’t take that away from him. The man has made it to the big game and played in big games. So he knows how to get it done when the time is needed. So the Lions should be very happy with what they have. They got a guy with a lot of experience and knows how to get to the big game.”
So maybe things won’t be so awkward when they see each other in Detroit.