What does Matthew Stafford trade means for Texans, Deshaun Watson?

The first blockbuster trade of the 2021 NFL offseason occurred this Saturday as the Los Angeles Rams acquired Matthew Stafford in exchange for two first-round picks, one third-rounder, and QB Jared Goff. This exchange has massive implications for the National Football League as it sets a league precedent in the high value associated with quarterbacks. Furthermore, this trade will also impact a potential trade involving the Houston Texans and disgruntled franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Matthew Stafford, the longtime quarterback of the Detroit Lions, mutually agreed to part ways with the franchise earlier this season as he officially requested a trade. Furthermore, a fractured relationship between Rams young gunslinger in Jared Goff and coach Sean McVay made the Rams and the Lions perfect trade partners for each other, making an eventual trade inevitable. However, the most surprising part of this trade is the amount of draft capital that the Rams surrendered to acquire Matthew Stafford, along with sending Goff to the Motor City.

How Lions-Rams trade relates

Stafford, who is at the latter end of his career, has had a strong reputation of being a dependable and productive starter in the league for the past decade. The former first-rounder and one-time Pro Bowler threw for 4,084 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions. The 33-year-old Dallas native has played in one of the most competitive and difficult divisions in the NFL, the NFC North, and has always turned in the best of performances, despite never having adequate role players around him.

On the other hand, Jared Goff has had a rollercoaster of a career so far. After being selected with the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Goff was the star quarterback of the Rams for the past four seasons, leading the team to the 2019 Super Bowl, where the Los Angeles team lost to the New England Patriots.