The Detroit Lions made a major commitment to quarterback Jared Goff, whom they acquired in the blockbuster 2021 trade with the Los Angeles Rams for Matthew Stafford and who has helped lead them to some of the greatest successes that generations of Lions fans have ever experienced in their lifetimes.
They signed him to four-year, $212 million contract extension in May of 2024, which meant he became one of the NFL’s highest-paid quarterbacks with a $53 million annual average and $170 million guaranteed; that deal has since been restructured so that $40 million of his base salary converted to a signing bonus. In doing so, Lions GM Brad Holmes created approximately $32 million worth of salary cap space for the upcoming season.
However, one NFL Insider believes that Lions fans are avoiding an uncomfortable conversation involving Goff.
NFL Insider Accuses Lions Fans Of Avoiding Uncomfortable Jared Goff Conversation
What exactly is the height of what the Lions could accomplish with Goff under center as quarterback? According to NFL Insider Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report, they may have already reached it.
“With zero playoff wins in the last two seasons, it’s fair to wonder if something is missing here, and if big changes are necessary despite all of that talent,” Gagnon wrote.
He continued:
“Jared Goff’s 67.1 passer rating in the fourth quarter of one-score games, which was the third-lowest mark among 24 quarterbacks who threw at least 50 passes under those circumstances. The Lions executed just one fourth-quarter comeback all season and went 3-5 in one-score games. There’s something missing when it matters.”
Additionally, NFL Insider Mike Florio laid it on the line for Goff, saying it’s time for him to start delivering.
“When you are knocking softly on the door every year, there is a fatigue that sets in” Florio said. “At some point, the fanbase will say, ‘If we’re ever going to get the thing we’re trying to get, we have to upgrade — someway, somehow.’ And no quarterback is immune from that. At some point, you’ve got to deliver.”
“You’ve got to deliver the Super Bowl berth. You don’t have to deliver the Super Bowl win, but you have to deliver the Super Bowl berth at some point. There’s a shelf-life there. We don’t know what it is, but it’s there.”
Jared Goff Had The Lions On The Cusp Of Reaching The Super Bowl
The Lions were knocking on the door of the Super Bowl in the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers two years ago, but a second-half collapse that brought back memories of the dreaded “Same Old Lions” mantra did them in.
What followed was a near-perfect 15-2 campaign that was halted in stunning fashion in the opening game of the postseason at Ford Field by the Washington Commanders.
Goff and the Lions then struggled with consistency in the most recently-completed season, going 9-8 and missing out on the postseason while also seeing their two-year reign at the top of the NFC North Division come to a close.
What does the upcoming 2026 NFL season hold in store for them?
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