DETROIT – As Lions quarterback Jared Goff prepares to face his former team, the Los Angeles Rams, in Sunday night’s playoff game, he admits to carrying a chip on his shoulder. Goff’s sentiment is supported by Rams coach Sean McVay, who acknowledges that he could have handled the situation better.
Reflecting on the four years they spent together, McVay expresses regret for not adequately expressing his gratitude to Goff before trading him to Detroit. “Could it have been handled better on my end? Absolutely,” McVay admits. “He deserved better than the way that it all went down.”
Despite the past, McVay has grown to appreciate the progress Goff has made as a quarterback since joining the Lions. Recognizing Goff’s success, McVay acknowledges, “He’s done a great job for them. They’re one of the top offenses the last couple years.”
The trade that sent Goff and two first-round picks to the Lions for Matthew Stafford has proven to be mutually beneficial. The Rams secured a Super Bowl victory with Stafford, while Goff led the Lions to a more successful season than Stafford had in Detroit. While this Sunday’s game shouldn’t solely determine the winner of the trade, the personal history between the players may add an extra layer of motivation.
In summary, Goff approaches the matchup with the Rams carrying a chip on his shoulder, a sentiment that McVay acknowledges is justified. McVay also expresses gratitude for their time together and acknowledges Goff’s growth as a quarterback since the trade. The outcome of the trade remains to be fully determined, but both teams have experienced success with their new quarterbacks. Sunday’s game will likely be fueled by the personal history between Goff and his former team.