Chris Bumbaca| USA TODAY
Hours after learning he and a slew of draft picks were heading to the Detroit Lions for quarterback Matthew Stafford, ex-Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff was looking toward the future.
“I’m just excited to be somewhere that I know wants me and appreciates me,” Goff told NFL.com on Sunday morning. “I’m moving forward and couldn’t be more excited to build a winner there.”
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The Lions will receive the Rams’ first-round picks in 2022 and 2023 on top of a third-round selection in this year’s draft. In Detroit, Goff will be paired with first-year head coach Dan Campbell.
“I’m excited about Dan (Campbell) and the whole staff,” Goff told NFL.com.
The NFL.com story notes that the phone call between Goff and Rams coach McVay, who had become less publicly supportive of Goff recently, lasted hardly more than a few quick exchanges before Goff hung up to answer his father on the other line.
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Goff underwent thumb surgery in late December, and the uncertainty surrounding Goff’s health prompted McVay to tap John Wolford to start at QB even when Goff returned for the season finale and team’s first playoff game. Goff entered the Jan. 9 game against the Seattle Seahawks when Wolford got hurt and then started in the divisional matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
The 26-year-old enjoyed his Rams peak during the 2018 season, when the Rams advanced to the Super Bowl before a dismal performance on offense against the New England Patriots. Los Angeles had gone 13-3 with Goff posting career highs in passing yards (4,688) and touchdowns (32).
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Regression followed that success, however, and neither McVay nor general manager Les Snead committed to Goff beyond the present during their respective year-end news conferences.
Goff committed 38 turnovers, the second-most in the NFL, over the past two seasons.
Contributing: Jace Evans, USA TODAY
Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.