Stafford raises Rams to a new level

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams have immediately become one of the favorites to win Super Bowl LVI next year with the acquisition of quarterback Drew Stafford from the Detroit Lions.

The Rams’ 2020 season ended with a loss to the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the playoffs, and coach Sean McVay declined to fully endorse Jared Goff as the team’s starting quarterback for next season.

It quickly became apparent why on Saturday, when the Rams sent Goff and a bevvy of draft picks to Detroit to acquire Stafford.

The 26-year-old Goff was selected with the first overall pick of the 2016 draft and led the Rams to the Super Bowl in 2019. The Northern California native also suffered a thumb injury on his throwing hand in Week 16 that led to surgery and sidelined him in Week 17.

Stafford, who turns 33 next month, was the first overall pick of the 2009 draft and the Lions have been looking to deal him since he asked to move on from the franchise.

As part of the deal the Lions have to take on Goff’s salary, which includes US$43 million in guaranteed money for the 2021 and 2022 seasons, but will receive first-round picks in the 2022 and 2023 drafts and a third-round pick in this year’s draft

The deal cannot become official until March 17 and both sides can still pull out before then, NBC Sports reported.

Listed at 18⁄1 by SportsBetting.com last week to win next year’s NFL championship, the Rams are now being offered at 10⁄1 by the sportsbook, making them the third favorite.