Matthew Stafford solely is aware of the NFL by the lens of the Detroit Lions, the franchise he spent the primary 12 years of his profession with after being the highest total choose in 2009. Nonetheless, all that is modified this offseason following the blockbuster commerce from again in late January that now has the 33-year-old QB as the latest starter for the Los Angeles Rams. The 2021 marketing campaign guarantees to be one thing fully new for Stafford because the Rams at present personal the fourth-best odds to win Tremendous Bowl LVI and the third-best odds to win the NFC, per William Hill Sports activities Guide. 

That is fairly the leap for a quarterback who has solely reached the playoffs thrice in his profession and has by no means even been out of Wild-Card Weekend. For sure, the prospects of a deep run have Stafford excited for what’s forward. 

“Yeah, I positively really feel that method. It is a new expertise for my total household,” Stafford instructed SiriusXM NFL Radio on Monday. “We have been so set with our life-style in how we form of went about day-to-day life in Detroit. That has positively modified. If you do not have vitality to maneuver your spouse and 4 children and a canine and everyone out to California, you are in loads of hassle. So it is positively reenergized me. I am excited concerning the alternative, not solely from a household standpoint however actually from a soccer standpoint. I am enthusiastic about being part of this Rams group that is had a lot current success, and I am unable to wait to get the soccer season going and get all that going, and on the similar time, cherished our time in Detroit. We’ll miss that metropolis dearly. It was particular to each me and my household, particularly my spouse when she was going by some issues. Beloved my time in Detroit, however we’re excited concerning the transfer to Los Angeles.”

A part of that “soccer standpoint” that ought to have Stafford giddy about touchdown in L.A. is the prospects of taking part in below Sean McVay, who has a historical past of elevating quarterbacks to their highest potential. After all, moving into the nuts and bolts of the Rams offense has been a bit delayed for Stafford as he can not spend a lot time with McVay in the mean time resulting from offseason guidelines. Nonetheless, he seems to be chomping on the bit to get to work. 

“He is a younger man. He is a passionate man,” Stafford stated of McVay. “He is aware of a ton of soccer and actually enjoys speaking the sport. Clearly, we’re somewhat bit restricted in our potential to get collectively in the mean time, however it’s one thing that I’m actually trying ahead to. If you happen to look again at his historical past, the fellows which might be in my place on the quarterback place, below his teaching, have performed at a excessive stage, and I am unable to wait to get my alternative each with him as the pinnacle coach and actually with the gamers on this offense. It is one thing that is actually intriguing to me and one thing that I am simply glad to have the ability to part of.”

If McVay can work his magic on Stafford, who nonetheless oozes with expertise, Los Angeles’ offense has the potential of being prolific, which ought to have them within the thick of Tremendous Bowl conversations main into 2021.