Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes has no doubt about who came out on top in the 2021 quarterback swap with the Los Angeles Rams.
That high-profile trade sent longtime Lions signal-caller Matthew Stafford to L.A., while Jared Goff and a substantial haul of draft picks made their way to Detroit. Included in that package were selections that led to the additions of standout players like Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, Brodric Martin, Josh Paschal, and Ifeatu Melifonwu. Goff, along with Williams, Gibbs, and LaPorta, now forms the foundation of Detroit’s young core.
Although Stafford quickly delivered a Super Bowl title to the Rams, Holmes believes Detroit ultimately got the better end of the deal. Speaking in a recent interview with ESPN’s Field Yates, the Lions executive confidently described the trade as potentially one of the most well-executed in NFL history.
Holmes Defends Belief in Goff
Holmes recalled the initial reaction to the trade, dismissing early criticism that framed the deal as a salary dump. He stood firm in his assessment of Goff at the time, pointing out that many were too quick to judge him based on recent struggles rather than his broader body of work.
“When we pulled the trigger on the deal, a lot of people assumed it was just to unload a contract,” Holmes explained. “But I knew who Jared was — how he was built mentally and what he brought to the table. People forget he had a lot of success early in his career. Just because things went south toward the end in L.A. didn’t mean he was done.”
Holmes said he always believed Goff had the intelligence, toughness, and competitive spirit needed to succeed in Detroit, and the results so far have validated that faith — at least to some degree. He acknowledged that the move benefited both franchises, with the Rams getting their championship and the Lions building a long-term nucleus.
A Trade Still Waiting on Its Final Verdict
While the Lions’ roster is certainly better thanks to the assets acquired in the deal, there’s a major box still unchecked: a Super Bowl appearance.
Detroit’s 2023 campaign was perhaps their most promising in years, but key injuries derailed what could’ve been a historic playoff run. Until Goff can lead the team to its first-ever Super Bowl, it’s difficult to crown this trade a win on the level Holmes suggests.
For now, Holmes’ bold claim might be seen as overly optimistic — especially considering Stafford already delivered a title in Los Angeles. If Goff eventually guides the Lions to the big game, though, this blockbuster deal might indeed go down as a masterstroke.
