Lions & QB Jared Goff Reach Massive Extension

With Jared Goff set to be a free agent after this upcoming season, many were left speculating about the future of the Lions QB. Those questions have now been answered, as the Lions and Goff have agreed on a four-year extension worth $212 million to keep him in Detroit.

Key to the Franchise:

With a contract of this magnitude, Goff is effectively the man in charge for the foreseeable future. The former LA Ram has experienced a career revival in Detroit, leading the Lions to the NFC Championship game just a year ago. Goff’s numbers have been consistent throughout his Lions career. Last year, he threw for over 4,500 yards with 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. With impressive stats and a conference championship appearance, Goff will face heavy expectations as Detroit looks to take the next step.

Over the Hump:

When a quarterback gets paid like Goff, the immediate question is whether he can lead them to a Super Bowl. In my opinion, Jared Goff cannot be the main catalyst to get a team to the promised land. Goff is an elite game manager, but there's a big difference between a game manager and a game changer. His supporting cast is strong, with recently extended WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and last year's draft pick TE Sam LaPorta. Additionally, Lions Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson has done a fantastic job since joining the team three seasons ago. While this setup looks promising for a potential Super Bowl trip, it seems like a story we've seen before. There's a reason the Rams traded Goff for Matt Stafford—Goff failed to get them over the hump and couldn't rekindle that flame. He had a great supporting cast, with some players still there when Stafford came in and won a championship in 2022.

Moving Forward:

While I like Goff as a player and believe he's in the upper echelon of NFL quarterbacks, I question the success this contract will bring. His regular-season stats are solid, but his inability to perform in big games raises concerns. I expect Detroit to be just as good as last year, but ultimately the goal is to improve. This contract is a gamble; Detroit has bet on Goff to overcome his shortcomings, and if he can, all parties will be overjoyed.