(WXYZ) -- The NFL world is stil reacting to the trade sending Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams, and a collection of draft picks and quarterback Jared Goff back to Detroit.
Lions beat writer Chris Burke of The Athletic says the most important part of the deal for Detroit's future is flexibility.
"To have two first round picks each of the next two years (after 2021) gives you options," said Burke. "Maybe you trade up this year, maybe you trade back into the first round...you have all sorts of things you can do here. Worst case scenario, you make five first round picks over the next three years, and those are your building block pieces moving forward."
The other side of the deal is Stafford getting a fresh start with offensive-minded head coach Sean McVay and a new fan base.
"(The Rams) were a playoff team with a quarterback that it looks like they didn't really like this year," said Burke. "So now you get a guy who, when he's playing well, is a top-10 quarterback in this league, and at worst is a top-half quarterback in this league, so that takes you into playoff contention when you have a good roster around him."
Burke spoke with new Lions head coach Dan Campbell Sunday morning about the franchise's new direction.
"I think that they have a very good feel at the moment for what this maybe can be down the road, but what it is right now too," said Burke. "And especially after losing Stafford, it's hard to find exactly what the foundation is, and Dan Campbell was very specific that they want to build this through the draft. It's going to be a bit here, probably, but I think they have an understanding of what's in front of them."
