2021 was 3 years back, and in a few days the 3 would turn 4. While we let that sink in, all these years after Matthew Stafford‘s blockbuster trade, NFL legend Michael Irvin weighed in with a hot take on ItIsWhatItIs Talk.

Irvin didn’t mince words when discussing whether the Lions or Rams won the trade. “Detroit has to be just so ecstatic with the way things that have worked out,” he said, even though Stafford won a Super Bowl with Los Angeles. According to Irvin, the Lions’ post-trade rebuild, led by Jared Goff and key draft picks, justifies their decision just right. Regardless of whether Detroit wins a title.

Irvin’s remarks reignite a debate that’s far from settled. Was Stafford’s Super Bowl victory enough to crown the Rams, trade winners? Or is Detroit’s newfound stability and long-term potential the ultimate prize? Irvin’s candid critique of Stafford’s Lions tenure, calling his penchant for deep throws a “detriment,” adds fuel to the discussion.

When Stafford swapped Detroit for Los Angeles in 2021, he instantly delivered the Rams their long-coveted Super Bowl. Man! Did he perform! His 4,886 passing yards and 41 touchdowns propelled the team’s offense, and it culminated in a nail-biting 23-20 Super Bowl victory. Cooper Kupp flourished under Stafford. He achieved a rare triple crown and Super Bowl MVP honors for his performance that season.

The trade did look like a win for L.A., didn’t it? But the aftermath hasn’t been that sweet. Injuries and roster depletion led the Rams to a downfall in 2022. The season for them ended with 5-12. Yet Matthew Stafford’s resurgence this season with 9 TDs and 2,262 passing yards shows some light for the future. But does one Super Bowl outweigh Detroit’s broader success?

The Lions’ Quiet Revolution

Detroit embraced the trade as a chance to rebuild. Jared Goff, once dismissed as a trade throw-in, has proved the pundits wrong. He is now thriving under offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. In the 2023 season, Goff ranked 2nd in passing yards. A performance that led Detroit to its first division title in 3 decades. Yep! 1993 was the year Bill Clinton became president. And Goff would be born a year later, in 1994. Nevertheless, Goff’s form hasn’t died down as he continues to flourish this season.

With 22 TDs, Goff has a ranking of 5. While he ranks 8th with 2,982 passing yards. On the other hand, the draft picks acquired from the Rams further strengthened the Lions. Rookies Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta have made a mark. Combining almost 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns between the two in the last season. With this, Detroit’s young core, guided by head coach Dan Campbell, signals a franchise on the rise.

As the Lions prepare for their playoff run, Irvin’s perspective underscores a rare “win-win” scenario in NFL trades. The Rams secured their Super Bowl, cementing Stafford’s legacy. Meanwhile, Detroit gained the tools for sustained success, redefining their identity.

Still, Irvin insists the Lions must maintain their trajectory to fully validate the trade. One thing’s for sure. The Stafford-Goff trade reshaped two franchises and changed how the NFL views blockbuster quarterback deals. And the debate, much like Matthew Stafford’s cannon arm, isn’t slowing down.