SF 49ers: Winners, losers from LA Rams deal for Matthew Stafford

The SF 49ers aren’t going to be landing Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, as he’s now destined to the LA Rams. Who won and lost the deal?

No, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford isn’t coming to the SF 49ers this offseason.

Despite plenty of speculation the Niners were the favorites to land the soon-to-be 33-year-old former No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, a late push by San Francisco’s NFC West division rivals, the LA Rams, ended up being enough to get Stafford heading to Southern California.

And not in red and gold.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the deal Saturday evening, which includes a quarterback swap between Stafford, who heads to Los Angeles, and another top pick from the draft, Jared Goff, who switches places now in Detroit under newly minted head coach Dan Campbell:

Additionally, the Rams send off a 2021 third-round pick along with first-round picks in 2022 and 2023.

The deal won’t be made official until the start of the league’s new year this March.

The SF 49ers, who were reportedly active in the pursuit and looking to move on from their starting quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, probably weren’t comfortable offering up multiple first-round draft picks, which could have included the No. 12 overall selection in this year’s draft depending on what the Lions’ asking price was.

So, at least from the Niners’ vantage point, they’re back at square one. But at least they know they have a starting-caliber signal-caller on their roster with Garoppolo.

At least for the time being.

Nevertheless, there are some clear winners and losers from the transaction, and San Francisco has elements on both sides of the equation.

Let’s take a look at who won and lost.