Jared Goff reflects on 'being sent to a place to die' in Rams-Lions trade

Quarterback Jared Goff is entering his fourth year with the Detroit Lions, and the last two have arguably been the best of his career.

Since an offseason trade that shipped him from the Los Angeles Rams to Detroit for Matthew Stafford in 2021 — a deal in which he was essentially a throw-in — Goff has been one of the best QBs in the league. 

Reflecting on the trade during a recent appearance on the “Trading Cards” podcast, Goff admitted he was hell-bent on not only proving those who had given up on him wrong but also reaching the level of play he knew he was capable of.

“Being shipped off and being sent to a place to die, essentially, is what a lot of people think it was, and I was never going to allow that to happen,” Goff said. “I'm fortunate enough to be around a lot of good coaches and players in Detroit that support me and help me reach my potential.”

Since he landed with the Lions, Goff has the fourth-most passing yards (12,258), seventh-most touchdowns (78) and the eighth-best passer rating (96.5) with 10th-fewest interceptions (27) and sacks taken (88), and he also made a Pro Bowl.

Last season, the 29-year-old was second in the NFL in passing yards (4,575) to only Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa, and he ranked fourth in touchdown passes (30), fifth in completion percentage (67.3) and seventh in passer rating (97.9).

Heading into the final season of his four-year, $134 million deal ($33.5M annually), Goff is primed to cash in big with his next contract. Per ESPN, Goff's next contract could pay him $45M-$50M annually, making him one of the seven highest-paid QBs in the league.

“In hindsight, (being traded to Detroit) was the greatest thing that ever happened to me, for my career and my development as a human,” Goff added.