Lions Brad Holmes Deserves Credit For Matt Stafford Trade – Unlike Al Avila’s Justin Verlander Deal

If you are a Detroit sports fan, like a few of us here at SOD, then the Matt Stafford trade was bittersweet. While the diehard Stafford fanatics are debating if they should try to sell their jerseys on eBay or trade it in for Rams gear, don’t lose faith Lions fans – Detroit got a great quarterback in return in one Jared Goff, and also scored two future first-round picks. They also got a QB ready to prove the Rams brass wrong for giving up on him so quickly. That kind of motivation should have Lions fans excited.

In fact, I think this trade is a big-time blessing in disguise for the Lions. Goff is a proven winner and he will be a key player in the Lions’ run toward becoming an NFC powerhouse. Yes, I said NFC powerhouse.

No, I’m not drinking, at least not yet. I’m serious. If the Lions’ ownership builds around Goff on offense, Detroit has their QB for the next 5-7 years, if not longer.

I know most fans can’t picture this team right here and right now moving forward without Matt Stafford at the helm, but I feel different. Goff may have not gotten his just due playing on the West Coast, even though he is a California native.

Detroit is starving for a winner, and when Goff comes through like I believe he can, this city will embrace him like one of our own. It is up to the ownership now, but trust me when I say, the last thing the Lions need is a QB. They now have a damn good one.

Lions ‘win’ Matt Stafford trade according to most news outlets

When the word broke that the Lions had traded the best quarterback they have had in nearly 50 years, many fans were saddened by the news.

However, like myself, many were feeling optimistic. Either way, most of the major sports markets believe that Detroit was the winner of this deal.

And unlike the Tigers dealing away Justin Verlander, the Lions got a great player in return for their star player, while the Tigers settled for a lot of “prospects” that probably won’t pan out. We dealt a HOF pitcher for who? More on that debacle below.

CBS Sports, ESPN, and several NFL outlets all gave the Lions a letter grade of an A on the deal. Of course, none of us know right now how this will turn out, but on paper at least, the Lions look like they got the better end of this swap.

Goff, who is seven years younger than the 32-year-old Stafford, has plenty of upsides. But just for one second forget that Goff took the Rams to the Super Bowl in his second year in the NFL. Or that he has the potential to pass for 5,000 yards and 30+ more touchdowns.

All that aside, the best part of getting Goff in return for Detroit may be the mountain-sized chip on his shoulder.

Yahoo reports that the former Cal star didn’t appreciate the desperation the Rams showed in trying to trade him, and he’s glad that he’s now on the Lions, who have assured him they see him as their starting quarterback.

“I’m just excited to be somewhere that I know wants me and appreciates me,” Goff told Mike Silver of NFL Media.

One thing is for sure, if the Lions win more games than they lose with Goff under center, fans in Motown will welcome him with open arms.

Unlike Tigers, Lions do it right

The trade of Matt Stafford will take fans a long time to digest. When the deal was revealed, it made me think of another huge trade in Detroit that just gets worse by the season. I’m talking about the Tigers trading away Justin Verlander.

When the Detroit Tigers traded Justin Verlander, the sting was deep for Tigers fans. It’s hard to believe that it is coming up on four years since the Tigers dealt Verlander to the Houston Astros. For baseball fans in the D, it feels like yesterday.

Like Stafford, JV was huge in the community and a fan favorite. However, here is why the shock of Stafford’s departure may not last.

It didn’t take long for the Lions’ new GM Brad Holmes to make a splash. While dealing away a star like Stafford is a tough decision, he pulled in a nice return.

The same can’t be said for the Detroit Tigers when referring to Verlander.

When you trade a stud like Stafford – or Verlander – you have to get a good return. It is a MUST. Do any of you remember who the Tigers got for JV? While you are busy Googling it, I will tell you.

The Astros sent Detroit right-hander Franklin Perez, outfielder Daz Cameron, and catcher Jake Rogers. No offense to those guys, but it is looking like they will only be remembered as a trivia question when someone asks 10 years from now “Who did Detroit get for Justin Verlander?”

Well, Daz may pan out. I like that kid, and I’m pulling for him. Heck, I am pulling for all of them. But overall you get my point. Holmes did a nice job of getting the most for Stafford.

And remember, Stafford wanted out of Detroit, so let’s give the new guy some credit. Everything considered Holmes did very well.

Now if only Al Avila and the Tigers could have done the same.

Detroit Lions 2024 Super Bowl champs? Laugh if you want, but if this team builds around Goff, he will be making many Lions fans say “Matt who?” just a few years down the road. Mark my words.

Here’s to a new QB in Motown. Prove ’em all wrong Jared, I have a good feeling you will.