Word got out that the Los Angeles Rams and the Detroit Lions were finalizing a second trade in the 2021 offseason that involved DT Michael Brockers. Obviously, the Rams were making this trade for financial reasons. It was later revealed that the Rams will receive a seventh round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The #Lions are trading a 2023 7th round pick to the #Rams in exchange for DT Michael Brockers, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2021
Truthfully, the notion of Brockers’s departure stemmed from an earlier report suggesting that the Rams were shopping him around. It was also reported that the Rams attempted to work with Brockers to reduce his pay but both sides couldn’t come to an agreement.
This prompted the trade which saves the Rams approximately $6.17 million in cap space. The Rams also save a little more money by trading Brockers rather than cutting him. This money gives them a little more wiggle room to either bring in some new players or potentially bring back players like CB Troy Hill or C Austin Blythe, both of which are still free agents.
While it is understandable why Brockers is traded, it still hurts a little. Brockers was well liked in the locker room and amongst Ram fans. Considering the Rams still have A’Shawn Robinson, Sebastian Joseph-Day and Greg Gaines, the Rams should be fine in terms of starters.
Brockers spent his entire 9-year career with the Rams and is one of the few remaining members of the St. Louis Rams still on the team. Brockers leaves the team earning 395 tackles, 28 sacks, nine pass deflections and two forced fumbles.
Brockers will rejoin teammate QB Jared Goff on the Lions, which should be an awkward reunion. Brockers made some comments where he admitted that QB Matthew Stafford felt like a “level up” from Goff.
Source: Pro-football-reference.com
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