The Rams will need an answer sooner rather than later as they face a crucial decision at the quarterback position. With the departure of Jared Goff, Los Angeles is now in search of a new leader on the field. And it seems that all eyes are on Matthew Stafford, who was acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Detroit Lions.
But not everyone is convinced that Stafford is the right fit for the Rams. In fact, one of his former teammates has been quite vocal about his opinions. Golden Tate, who played with Stafford in Detroit for four seasons, recently spoke out about the quarterback’s time with the Lions and his potential with the Rams.
In an interview with Heavy Sports, Tate did not hold back when it came to discussing Stafford’s performance on the field. He praised his former teammate’s talent and arm strength, but also expressed frustration with their time together in Detroit.
”We had a good relationship, but I don’t know how good our quarterback play was,” Tate said. ”I think we underutilized [Stafford’s] abilities because he’s incredibly talented. He can make every throw, he’s a good leader, he’s a good locker room guy. I felt like we should have won more games with him.”
Tate’s comments may come as a surprise to some, considering Stafford’s impressive statistics during his time with the Lions. He holds the franchise records for career passing yards, touchdowns, and completions. But according to Tate, it’s not just about the numbers.
”He’s been putting up crazy numbers for years, but it’s like, what have they really done as a team?” Tate questioned. ”I don’t think they’ve won a playoff game. I don’t even know if they’ve been to the playoffs to be honest with you. And I don’t think it’s all on him, but when you have a quarterback like that, it’s hard to understand why they haven’t been more successful.”
These comments from a former teammate may raise some concerns for Rams fans. But it’s important to remember that Tate is speaking from his personal experience with Stafford and the Lions. And while their time together may not have resulted in many wins, it doesn’t mean that Stafford isn’t capable of leading a successful team.
In fact, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about Stafford joining the Rams. He brings a wealth of experience and talent to the team, and has proven to be a durable and consistent quarterback throughout his career. And with a talented roster surrounding him, including star receivers like Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods, Stafford has all the tools he needs to succeed.
But perhaps the most compelling reason to believe in Stafford is the reaction of his new teammates. Touted as a respected and well-liked leader, it seems that Stafford has already made a positive impression on the Rams.
Wide receiver Van Jefferson recently shared his thoughts on Stafford, saying, ”He’s a really good guy. Just sitting down and talking with him, picking his brain a little bit, I feel like he’s a guy that just wants to win. And I feel like that’s the kind of guy that we want on this team.”
And with training camp just around the corner, the Rams will need to make a decision sooner rather than later on their starting quarterback. But with Stafford’s experience, talent, and the support of his new teammates, it’s clear that he has all the makings of a successful leader for the Rams.
Of course, only time will tell if Stafford is the answer for the Rams. But with his former teammate’s comments in mind, it’s clear that he’ll need to prove himself on the field and lead his new team to success in order to silence any doubts. And with the support of his new organization, it’s clear that Stafford is up for the challenge.
So, while Golden Tate may have some reservations about Stafford’s time with the Lions, there’s no doubt that the Rams are confident in their new quarterback. And it’s up to him to prove that he’s the missing piece to take this team to the next level.