The Los Angeles Rams traded the 15th-best player in the NFL in 2025 for one ranked 59th. However, there is far more debate about the former than the latter. The deal occurred in 2021, when the Rams traded Jared Goff to the Detroit Lions for Matthew Stafford.
Neither Goff nor Stafford made the list in 2021, which is voted on by their peers. However, Goff’s most recent ranking has social media debating whether or not he deserves it.
The NFL announced Goff’s ranking on August 27 with commentary and a highlight reel.
Goff ranks second in passing yards, third in completions, fourth in attempts, and fourth in touchdowns since joining the Lions, per Stathead.
He is fifth in that same span in wins by a quarterback.
The former No. 1 overall pick of the 2016 draft by the Rams, Goff led the Lions to the NFC North crown in 2024. That was after a 15-win regular season. He was second in passing yards, fourth in touchdowns, fifth in completions, and 10th in attempts.
Fans Split on Ex-Rams Jared Goff Being Voted a Top-15 NFL Player
GettyJared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions warms up before their game against the Los Angeles Rams.
What Goff was able to do on the field for the Lions last season, or the fact that his NFL peers voted him into the top 15 players, did not sway fans from decrying the former Rams star’s ranking as high as he did.
“Look me dead in the eyes and tell me Jared Goff is better than Dexter Lawrence so I can laugh in your face,” one fan posted on X, quoting the NFL’s announcement video.
“Jared Goff is everything this app accuses [Jalen] Hurts of being,” another fan posted. “An overrated game manager that needs everything perfect for him to succeed.”
Some fans backed Goff, with one noting the QB led the league in passing TDs since 2023.
His own teammates, such as linebacker Jack Campbell, have spoken to the positive impact Goff has had on them. Still, sentiments like those of NFL blogger John Frascella, who listed 16 QBs that he believes are arguably better than Goff, are also prevalent.
For the Rams, it could also be viewed as a reality check about the 2021 trade. The Rams faced questions about Stafford’s availability in 2025 and his future during the offseason.
Matthew Stafford Sees Another Drop in Top 100 Rankings
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on against the Dallas Cowboys.
Notably, Goff officially overtook Stafford on the top 100 list this season, with the former Rams franchise QB ranking 48th to the new one’s 42nd-place finish in 2024. The 2025 list also marked Stafford’s first back-to-back appearances on the list since 2017 and 2018 with the Lions.
He has also dropped in his two appearances since his first appearance with the Rams in 2022, when he was voted as the league’s 27th-best player.
This season, Stafford checked in at No. 59 overall.
Stafford is sixth in passing yards, ninth in attempts, completions, and QB wins, and 10th in passing TDs since 2021. He led them to a 10-6 record and the NFC Divisional Playoffs in 2024. He ranked 11th in completions, 12th in attempts, 13th in yards, and 16th in TD passes.
Sentiments around Stafford’s ranking ranged from agreement to arguing that he was underrated, but the Rams are still closer to the end with him than the Lions are with Goff.
The Rams’ Super Bowl victory only holds up so long as Goff and the Lions remain without one.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Former Rams QB Jared Goff Sparks Debate Ahead of 2025 Season appeared first on Heavy Sports.