When the Detroit Lions traded longtime franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford back in January 2021, it was viewed as a bold but necessary move - a team in transition flipping the page, sending away a franchise icon in exchange for a younger quarterback and a haul of draft picks. But what’s unfolded since has been nothing short of a masterclass in roster building.
What started as a one-for-one quarterback swap became a domino effect that reshaped the Lions' entire foundation. Detroit didn’t just get Jared Goff and a few picks - they turned those assets into a new offensive identity, a revamped defense, and a core that now has them in the thick of the NFC playoff picture. Let’s break down exactly what the Lions got in return for Stafford - and why it might go down as the most transformative trade in franchise history.
Jared Goff: From Castoff to Cornerstone
When the Lions acquired Jared Goff, he wasn’t exactly seen as the crown jewel of the deal. At the time, it felt like the Rams were just unloading his contract to make room for Stafford. But Goff didn’t just revive his career in Detroit - he’s elevated it.
Since arriving, Goff has started every game over four seasons, including the playoffs - 68 in total - and has thrown at least 29 touchdowns in each of his last three seasons. He finished fifth in MVP voting in 2024 and is on pace to match or exceed that production this year. That’s not just stability at quarterback - that’s top-tier play.
And the narrative has flipped, too. Goff once admitted he felt like he was being sent “to die” in Detroit.
Now? He calls the trade “the greatest thing that ever happened to me.”
The Lions don’t just have a quarterback - they have a leader who’s embraced the city and become the face of the franchise’s resurgence.
Ifeatu Melifonwu: A Solid Depth Piece
With the third-round pick they got in 2021, Detroit selected Syracuse defensive back Ifeatu Melifonwu at No. 101 overall. While he never became a full-time starter, Melifonwu carved out a role as a rotational defender, starting 11 games over three seasons and posting his best year in 2023 with two interceptions, three sacks, and eight passes defended.
Injuries limited him in 2024, and he appeared in just three games. He eventually signed with the Miami Dolphins in 2025 free agency. While not a long-term building block, Melifonwu was a useful contributor during a key stretch of the Lions’ rebuild.
Jameson Williams: A Home-Run Swing That’s Paying Off
The Lions used one of the Rams’ first-round picks - No. 32 overall in 2022 - to move up 20 spots in a deal with the Vikings and land wide receiver Jameson Williams at No. 12.
After a rocky start to his career due to injuries and a suspension, Williams has blossomed into a legitimate playmaker. In 2024, he racked up 1,001 receiving yards on 58 catches with seven touchdowns. This season, he’s on pace to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark again.
The Lions clearly see him as a long-term piece. In September, they locked him up with a three-year, $83 million extension. That’s not just a vote of confidence - it’s a sign that Williams is central to Detroit’s offensive future.
Josh Paschal: Quietly Reliable in the Trenches
As part of that same trade with Minnesota, the Lions also picked up the 46th overall pick in 2022, which they used to draft defensive end Josh Paschal.
Paschal didn’t make waves early, but he’s been a steady presence on the defensive line. He started four games in both 2022 and 2023, then took on a larger role in 2024 with 10 starts. Unfortunately, a back injury suffered in the spring has kept him sidelined for all of 2025 so far.
Still, Paschal’s development into a reliable rotational lineman adds depth and value to a defensive front that’s become one of the most physical in the NFC.
Jahmyr Gibbs: The Explosive X-Factor
Here’s where things really get interesting.
Thanks to the Rams finishing 5-12 in 2022, the Lions ended up with the No. 6 overall pick in 2023. But instead of staying put, GM Brad Holmes worked the board, trading that pick and a third-rounder to Arizona for picks No. 12, 34, and 168.
With the 12th pick, Detroit selected running back Jahmyr Gibbs - a move that raised eyebrows at the time. But any doubts have been erased.
Gibbs has emerged as one of the league’s most dangerous offensive weapons. He’s currently second among all running backs in total touchdowns (16) and is averaging a staggering 134.7 total yards per game. He’s already tied Barry Sanders for the most touchdowns in franchise history before turning 24 - a stat that speaks volumes.
In just three seasons, Gibbs has become the kind of game-changer you build an offense around.
Sam LaPorta: A Record-Setting Tight End
The Lions weren’t done with that Arizona trade. They used the 34th overall pick to draft tight end Sam LaPorta out of Iowa - and he wasted no time making history.
LaPorta set the NFL rookie record for receptions by a tight end with 89 and added 10 touchdowns to go with it. He earned a Pro Bowl nod and became a go-to target in Goff’s arsenal.
He’s been sidelined since mid-November after undergoing back surgery, but his impact on the field has already been felt. In a league where elite tight ends are at a premium, the Lions found one in LaPorta.
Brodric Martin: A Miss, But Not a Costly One
With pick No. 96 in the 2023 draft - another selection connected to the Stafford deal - the Lions took defensive tackle Brodric Martin out of Western Kentucky.
Martin struggled to find his footing in Detroit, making just one start and five appearances over two seasons. He was waived before the 2025 season and now plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers after a brief stint with the Chiefs.
Not every pick hits, and Martin was one of the few misses in an otherwise stellar run of draft-day decisions stemming from the Stafford trade.
The Final Tally
So, what did the Lions ultimately get in return for Matthew Stafford?
- Jared Goff - Top-10 quarterback play and franchise leadership
- Jameson Williams - Explosive WR1 with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons
- Jahmyr Gibbs - One of the NFL’s most dynamic backs
- Sam LaPorta - Record-setting tight end and offensive centerpiece
- Josh Paschal - Solid rotational defensive lineman
- Ifeatu Melifonwu - Depth contributor in the secondary
- Brodric Martin - Developmental DT who didn’t pan out
That’s a quarterback, a WR1, a Pro Bowl tight end, and a top-tier running back - all from one trade. And while Stafford delivered a Super Bowl to the Rams, the Lions built a long-term core that could keep them in contention for years.
This wasn’t just a trade. It was a blueprint. And right now, it’s paying off in a big way.