Giving up longtime franchised quarterback Matthew Stafford would have had a short-term negative impact on the Detroit Lions. This is part of the reconstruction project plan designed by new GM Brad Holmes and his staff.
So far this offseason, no NFL team has had a greater impact on the winning streak than the Lions agreeing to switch Stafford to the Rams for QB Jared Goff. The draft compensation that will come to Detroit in the deal still doesn’t take into account Pro Football Focus ’valuation of“ earnings above replacement ”for the field product.
The Rams top the list of the best in terms of joining the WAR, almost entirely in the form of Stafford taking over from Goff in Sean McVay’s offense. The Lions are at the other end of the list.
It will be interesting to review the WAR sums / leftovers once the free agency starts on March 17th. Hopefully the Lions make some positive additions to make up for the massive loss of Stafford and the free agent receivers who are also expected to leave.