Matthew Stafford Traded to Los Angeles Rams

Stafford spent 12 years with the Detroit Lions. Now, he joins a new organization after being traded.

Matthew Stafford's next team is getting a quarterback that is certainly ready for a change of scenery. 

According to ESPN, Stafford is being traded to the Los Angeles Rams for two future first-round picks, a third-round pick and quarterback Jared Goff. 

Detroit is dealing QB Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for two future first-round picks, a third-round pick and QB Jared Goff, per sources. Two former No. 1 overall picks trading places in the first blockbuster NFL trade of 2021.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 31, 2021

The full blockbuster trade involving two former No. 1 overall draft picks ...#Lions get:

QB Jared Goff
3rd-round pick in 2021
1st-round pick in 2022
1st-round pick in 2023#Rams get:

QB Matthew Stafford

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 31, 2021

The veteran quarterback spent the first 12 years of his career playing for a Lions organization that was desperately attempting to turn around its fortunes. 

Unfortunately, Detroit only played in the postseason on three occasions, and lost all three games on the road during Stafford's tenure. 

Stafford amassed plenty of individual statistical accolades during his time in Motown.

In 2020, Stafford threw for 4,084 yards, 26 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He was able to start all 16 games, after experiencing two injury-riddled seasons in the previous two years. 

Working with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell proved to be beneficial, as Stafford averaged the second-highest yards per attempt of his career (7.7) and posted his fifth-highest passer rating (96.3).

Plenty of teams inquired about Stafford's services -- as much as a third of the league may have contacted Detroit, according to reports. 

Had Stafford not been traded, he would have been owed a $10 million roster bonus after the start of the new league year. As a result of the trade, Detroit's salary cap hit for Stafford will be $19 million in 2021. He was set to count $33 million against the cap. So, Detroit's new front office gained $14 million in cap space. However, Goff is guaranteed $43 million -- and $54.3 million total -- over the next two years before they can get out of his contract after the 2022 season at the earliest.

After firing head coach Matt Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn last November, the Lions' front office has undergone a philosophical shift to become more collaborative in nature. 

Under new general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell, Detroit's first big decision has been made. 

Time will tell what Stafford's lasting legacy will be, but he now must write the next chapter of his career elsewhere. 

The Lions will select No. 7 overall in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft.