McVay regrets poor communication during Goff trade

The Los Angeles Rams' decision to trade Jared Goff to the Detroit Lions in January blindsided the quarterback, and head coach Sean McVay said Monday he regrets not creating a smoother exit for Goff.

"Yes, I wish there was better, clearer communication," McVay said, according to ESPN's Lindsey Thiry. "To say that it was perfectly handled on my end, I wouldn't be totally accurate in that. I'll never claim to be perfect, but I will try to learn from some things that I can do better, and I think that was one of them without a doubt."

Goff will return to Los Angeles for the first time Sunday and is still looking for his first win as a member of the Lions. Meanwhile, the 5-1 Rams are primed for another run at the Super Bowl in large part thanks to a dynamic offense led by McVay and new quarterback Matthew Stafford, who was acquired in the trade for Goff.

Stafford is in the MVP conversation, having completed 69.5% of his passes for 1,838 yards and 16 touchdowns against four interceptions.

However, Goff's poor play from the end of his time with the Rams has continued in Detroit. He has thrown just two touchdowns in his last four games while turning the ball over five times.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell said his quarterback "needs to step up more than he has" after Sunday's blowout loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Though the Goff era in Los Angeles ultimately didn't deliver a Super Bowl - despite an NFC Championship Game win and 43 regular-season victories - McVay believes the 2016 No. 1 overall pick will get a warm welcome from the Rams' crowd.

"I think he'll be received well," McVay said. "I think the L.A. fans and I think the Rams fans know what a great job he had done and ... how much he meant to the Rams organization both as a football player and also (in) the community."