The Los Angeles Rams suffered an early playoff exit on Sunday, getting bounced in the wild-card round by Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions, 24–23.
Goff, of course, was a former first-round pick for the Rams and spent the first five years of his career in Los Angeles. He, along with multiple draft picks, was dealt to the Lions in a blockbuster trade for Matthew Stafford ahead of the 2021 NFL season.
Coach Sean McVay addressed the media after the game and discussed the loss, giving credit to Dan Campbell and Detroit for their accomplishment. When asked about the quarterback battle between Stafford and Goff, he had nothing but praise for his former quarterback.
“I think there’s a lot made of it, but I’m really happy for him. Obviously, we wanted to come away with the win but he’s done a great job. I think the grit, the resilience and the way he’s done his thing here over the last three years, I’m happy for Jared,” said McVay during his postgame press conference. “I’m certainly appreciative of the four years we had together, and I wouldn’t want anyone else as my quarterback other than Matthew Stafford.”
McVay took over as coach of the Rams in 2017, during Goff’s second season in the NFL. They made a Super Bowl run together in ’18, but fell short in a loss to the New England Patriots. Goff was traded to Detroit after the ‘20 season.
It seems the relationship between McVay and Goff is still a positive one, however, as the Rams’ coach spoke fondly of his former quarterback following the team’s playoff defeat.
