WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – Five years ago today, the Rams acquired Matthew Stafford in a trade with the Lions.
The price: Quarterback Jared Goff, a 2021 third-round pick, and first-round picks in 2022 and 2023.
The consequences of acquiring a quarterback of Stafford's caliber played out almost immediately, the partnership of a 12-year veteran passer with one of the NFL's premier offensive play-callers in head coach Sean McVay increasing the already-heightened level of expectations ahead of a season in which SoFi Stadium would host Super Bowl LVI.
That such expectations were met with Stafford and McVay hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in Inglewood 11 months later only added to how monumental the trade became, and continues to be, for the franchise.
That same season, Stafford set a single-season franchise record and tied his then-career-high with 41 passing touchdowns, his third-most passing yards in a single season with 4,886 and tied his second-highest completion percentage in a single season at 67.2. His rapport with wide receiver Cooper Kupp aided Kupp in a triple-crown-winning season that culminated with winning Super Bowl LVI MVP.
Speaking of MVP: As the graphic commemorating the five-year anniversary of the trade posted on the Rams' social media channels reminded fans, Stafford won the first of his career this past season after breaking his own franchise record with a league-leading and career-high 46 passing touchdowns; his 4,707 passing yards also led the league and were the fourth-most in his career.
There's also the immeasurable or intangible impact of Stafford, who also was voted team captain by his peers for a fifth-straight year last season. His high football IQ and overall preparation – especially the amount of extra work he puts on his own plate – has helped teammates play with confidence on the field. One example that comes to mind is knowing the offense so throughly, he can dissect the play call down to that teammate's responsibility, and tell them what they are supposed to do on that given play should the moment require doing so.
Plus, being able to manipulate defenders with his eyes – like the way he displaced hook defender on the game-winning drive in Super Bowl LVI – has led to countless no-look passes, or at least enough to form a highlight reel. That, combined with the aforementioned football knowledge, has helped the Rams stay ahead of evolving defenses whose pre-snap coverage structures change post-snap.
And as the quarterback who has become active leader in both game-winning drives (50) and fourth-quarter comebacks (39), both sides of the ball have felt, to borrow from former offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, that they were always in the fight, no matter the circumstances.
Zooming out from the individual lens to the team lens, consider the run of success the Rams have had since 2021:
- A 49-36 overall record.
- Four playoff appearances.
- Two NFC championship appearances (won Super Bowl LVI).
- A first- or second-place finish in the NFC West in all but one year (2022, which Stafford missed the majority of due to injury).
What a ride it has already been. And may we continue to appreciate it as he prepares for Year 6 in the horns, and however much longer it goes.
