The new NFL league year hasn’t even started yet, and teams are already making moves for the 2021 season. The expectation is that there will be a lot of movement at the quarterback position this offseason. The Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions kicked off the QB movement by putting together a blockbuster trade, swapping Jared Goff for Matthew Stafford.

The Rams and Lions can’t publicly talk about the trade until it becomes official on March 17. Just because the teams are prohibited from speaking about the transaction doesn’t mean the players are. Goff spoke about his reaction to being traded and his new opportunity in Detroit.

Jared Goff wasn’t part of the Rams future

Things seemed to be going so well for Jared Goff and the Rams two years ago. The team had a potent offense, and Goff was playing exceptionally well, helping the team get to the Super Bowl. Sean McVay and Goff’s relationship was in the honeymoon stage as they were clicking at every level. However, the past two seasons saw a considerable dip in Goff’s performance.

The regression in Goff’s game sparked rumors about his future with the team. The lack of commitment from McVay and general manager Les Snead fueled those rumors even more. Now that the dust has settled from the trade, Goff wondered when the Rams knew he wasn’t part of their future.

“That’s the tough part right now is trying to figure that out, when did that happen?” Goff said per ESPN. “Those are all conversations that I may or may not have, and try to figure it out.

Goff’s turnovers were probably a factor in him being traded. Goff has had 38 total turnovers since 2019, second-most in the NFL. The inconsistencies in his play were also apparent. One week he plays like he is a capable starter, the next, he plays like he is scared of making mistakes. McVay has grown tired of Goff’s inconsistent play.

LA and Goff were ready to move on from each other

I talked to former Rams QB Jared Goff for a half-hour today about the trade to Detroit and he was really honest and poignant about the breakup: “You don’t want to be in the wrong place. It became increasingly clear that was the case.”https://t.co/AmKR4aj2fy

— Sam Farmer (@LATimesfarmer) February 3, 2021

LA didn’t seem confident in Goff anymore, and the comments from McVay and Snead all but sealed Goff’s fate. Being in a situation where you’re not wanted isn’t something a quarterback wants to experience. Goff feels like he was also ready to move on because of the Rams’ lack of faith in him.

“As the quarterback, as the guy that’s at arguably the most important position on the field, if you’re in a place that you’re not wanted and they want to move on from you, the feeling’s mutual. You don’t want to be in the wrong place. It became increasingly clear that was the case,” said Goff.

The Rams traded Jared Goff, two first-round picks, and a third-round pick to the Lions for Matthew Stafford. Stafford and the Lions agreed to part ways in January after 12 seasons. Goff said that he initially felt disappointed because of how his time in LA ended. Then he remembers the memories he made with the team and the city that gave him a chance as the No. 1 overall pick.

“Them drafting me No. 1 overall and bringing me to a city that hasn’t had a football team in a long time, being a part of that rebuild after 2016, being able to help bring L.A. football back to prominence, all that stuff I take extreme pride in. It’s something that I’ll always remember,” said Goff.

Jared Goff is ready for a new start with the Lions

Matthew Stafford joining the Rams is getting most of the attention, and it is warranted. Stafford is a talented quarterback joining a tremendous offensive mind and an excellent defense. Goff is heading the Lions, who hired Dan Campell a couple of weeks ago. Excited for a fresh start, Goff is looking forward to playing in Detroit.

“You start to feel; I don’t want to say ‘relief’ is the word, but you start to feel happy, grateful, ready for a new opportunity. That’s the biggest feeling that I was overcome with that night, and even in the days following,” said Goff.

Jared Goff will be joining a Detroit team stuck in mediocrity. Their defense gave up the most points in the NFL last season, and their running game is nonexistent. This could end up being a great opportunity for Goff. If he can get back to his 2018 self with the Lions, he could find a permanent home in Detroit. He will have to prove to the team and the city that he can get them back to being competitive. 

“You get so excited that you get a fresh start. You get to be somewhere you’re believed in. That clearly wasn’t the case here anymore…for the city I’m coming to, the city I’m going to bring a whole lot of passion to, and a whole lot of hopefully success for a long time,” Goff said per the LA Times.