Matthew Stafford Compares Myles Garrett Trade To Leaving Lions

The Los Angeles Rams pulled off the biggest trade of the NFL offseason when they acquired Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Jared Verse and three future draft picks.

Garrett spent nine seasons with the Browns and set numerous records as arguably the best defensive player in the franchise’s history.

The seven-time Pro Bowler wanted nothing more than to spend his entire career in Cleveland, but felt the opportunity to compete for a Super Bowl with the Rams was too great to pass up.

L.A. made a similar trade in 2021 when they landed Matthew Stafford from the Detroit Lions. The reigning NFL MVP had spent his entire career with the franchise up to that point, but felt a change of scenery would be best for everyone involved.

Stafford sees similarities between his trade from Detroit and Garrett leaving Cleveland.

“We haven’t had that conversation yet,” Stafford told former Rams defense end Chris Long’s podcast. “But there’s no question about it. You’re right, there are some parallels.

“I know for me, and I’m assuming for Myles and we’ll have those conversations as we get back to training camp and do those things. But it was just invigorating. For so many years, I felt like I was this guy in Detroit, the leader of the organization, leader of it all. And still feel that way in L.A., but you get traded and you’re suddenly the new guy who’s got to learn everything and it’s like this new juice where you’re like, alright, now I just gotta make sure I’m up to par with everybody else.

“And obviously the physical traits, his stats, his ability is second-to-none. He’s an incredible football player so you’re not worried about those things. It’s just hey man, there’s some new energy to it where football isn’t the exact same as it’s been the last 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 years and I know that can be energizing for a player and a guy that is smart enough to understand what the stakes are and the opportunity that he’s just been given.”

Stafford’s trade to L.A. proved successful as he led the Rams to a Super Bowl championship in his first season with the franchise. Now, Garrett will look to do the same as he prepares for the next chapter of his Hall of Fame career.

Matthew Stafford ‘gutted’ over Rams trading Jared Verse

The Rams paid a steep price to acquire Garrett as they gave up a two-time Pro Bowler and former Defensive Rookie of the Year in Verse.

While Stafford is thrilled to be teammates with Garrett, he pointed out the unfortunate reality of losing a player like Verse.

“Excited to have him,” Stafford said. “Obviously, guts me to lose a guy like Verse because I loved playing with him. A guy that came in as a young player that was beyond his years in his ability and his maturity and just wish him all the best. It sucks to lose guys anytime you spend time playing with them.

“But excited to have Myles. Really good football player and excited for what’s to come. We’ve just got to continue to work and get after each other a little bit in practice and see if we can make each other better.”