Detroit Lions trade Matthew Stafford to Los Angeles Rams for two first-round picks, Jared Goff

After 12 seasons with the Detroit Lions, quarterback Matthew Stafford’s days with the only franchise he’s ever known are officially over. The Lions on Saturday night sent Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for two first-round picks, a third-round pick and quarterback Jared Goff, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Stafford, who spent a decade in Detroit, departs as the Lions’ all-time leader in completions (3,898) passing yards (45,109), passing touchdowns (282), and quarterback wins (74). He took the franchise to three playoff appearances in his tenure — the only three playoff trips for the Lions this century. 

Despite the all his success in Detroit, the Lions failed to win a playoff game under Stafford — as he’s 0-3 in his postseason career. Detroit has just one playoff victory since winning the NFL championship in 1957, the fewest of any franchise in the league. In his nine seasons where he started all 16 games, Stafford had more losing seasons (five) than winning seasons (four). Stafford was just 74-90-1 in his career with the Lions, despite the numerous NFL records he owns after 12 seasons in the league. 

Stafford is the fastest quarterback in NFL history to 20,000 passing yards (71 games), 30,000 passing yards (109 games), and 40,000 passing yards (147 games). He has the most consecutive seasons with 550+ passing attempts (eight), the most pass attempts in a season (727) and is the only quarterback in history with 700-plus attempts in a season. His 136 consecutive starts are the seventh-most in NFL history. 

Stafford has the most passing yards and completions through 165 starts in NFL history and the seventh-most passing touchdowns for any player during that span. His 31 fourth-quarter comebacks since the start of the 2009 season are the most in the NFL and tied with John Elway for the seventh-most in NFL history. His 38 game-winning drives trail only Drew Brees for the most in the NFL since 2009 and are tied with Matt Ryan and Johnny Unitas for eighth-most in NFL history. 

The Lions have dealt a franchise icon in Stafford, who will finally earn a chance to win a Super Bowl title with his new team.