Fansided

Kyler Murray ‘surprised’ by Rams trade for Matthew Stafford

By Mark Carman

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 19: Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals looks on before their game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on November 19, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 19: Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals looks on before their game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on November 19, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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The NFC West seemingly just got even tougher with the surprise addition of Matthew Stafford from the Detroit Lions.

Kyler Murray was minding his own business Saturday night and did not have football on his mind. That changed instantly when his phone starting blowing up with the news Matthew Stafford had been traded to the division-rival Los Angeles Rams.

“I was watching a movie, just chillin’. It happened late [at] night. I was honestly surprised,” Murray told FanSided.

Jared Goff being traded was less of a surprise. The writing had been on the wall for quite some time that Sean McVay wanted a different quarterback, but nobody knew he loved Stafford and wanted Goff elsewhere this badly:  two first-round draft picks and a third-round selection for the 12-year veteran who has never won a playoff game.

Murray was right to be “surprised.” It is extremely rare when a 26-year-old supposed franchise quarterback signs a mammoth contract extension and then less than two years later he is on the move. Today’s treasure tomorrow’s trash will shock anybody’s NFL system.

“He’s [Goff] been to a Super Bowl,” Murray said. “I play in the league. I understand all the hate, all the criticism. I bet Jarred he probably gets a lot of that. You want to be wanted you want to feel comfortable where you’re at. It’s tough.”

Goff echoed those sentiments in his comments after landing in Detroit. “I’m just excited to be somewhere that I know wants me and appreciates me,” Goff told NFL.com.

Goff will have his work cut out for him in Detroit, to say the least. The Lions with one playoff win dating back to 1957.

Meanwhile, McVay made Goff the fall guy for an offense no longer flourishing as it did in 2018 when the Rams made it to the Super Bowl. The pressure is on McVay now to produce. Murray sees a rival not wanting to wait any longer to get back to the Super Bowl.

“They are trying to win. I respect it. I love Matt Stafford,” Murray said.

Next. Kyler Murray and the Cardinals could light up the NFL. dark

Kyler Murray won the SNICKERS ‘Hungriest Player of the Year’ for the 2020 NFL Season. Murray will donate the ‘SNICKERS chain’ worth $60,000 to benefit heroes on the frontlines in Arizona, including nurses and other essential workers.

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