Lions' Jared Goff changes tune about facing Rams after once feeling 'betrayed'

There was once a time when Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff had a "chip on his shoulder" regarding the trade that sent him from the Los Angeles Rams to the Lions in exchange for Matthew Stafford in March 2021.  

The 8-5 Lions will play at the 10-3 Rams this coming Sunday. While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Goff indicated that he has now put the past behind him. 

Time heals all wounds for Jared Goff

"It feels like a long time ago," Goff said about the trade, per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "My career now has spent more time here." 

The Rams made Goff the first pick of the 2016 NFL Draft, and he helped them reach a Super Bowl during his tenure that ran through the 2020 season. In January 2021, reports surfaced claiming that the relationship between Goff and Rams head coach Sean McVay was "not great." McVay has since said on multiple occasions that he wishes he had handled Goff's departure "better as a leader." 

As recently as earlier this summer, Goff spoke openly about feeling "betrayed" by the Rams. On Wednesday, he suggested Los Angeles is now just any other opponent on the schedule. 

"Not so much anymore," Goff responded when asked if he feels unique emotions about facing the team that once gave up on him. Of course, he has already gone up against the Rams during the regular season and in the playoffs. 

Nothing but respect between Rams, Jared Goff?

This Sunday's matchup at SoFi Stadium is massive for both clubs. The Lions currently trail the 9-4 Chicago Bears in the battle for the NFC's final wild-card playoff berth. Detroit also trails Chicago and the 9-3-1 Green Bay Packers in the NFC North standings. 

Meanwhile, the Rams and 10-3 Seattle Seahawks are battling it out for the NFC West division title and for the top seed in the conference playoffs. The 9-4 San Francisco 49ers are right behind Los Angeles and Seattle in the standings. 

"I’ve got so much respect for those guys, how well they’re playing, how well they’re coached," Goff added about the Rams. "We’ve got our hands full, and gotta find a way to win."

As of Thursday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Lions as 5.5-point underdogs against the Rams.