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Detroit Lions: If Jared Goff succeeds in Motown, here’s how

By Payne Schanski

Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Lions fans
Detroit Lions fans (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Why are some Detroit Lions fans less than excited about Goff?

When news of the trade broke, why were so many Lions fans on social media spouting off about how “trash” Goff is, and calling for him to be traded before ever putting on a uniform? There are several toxic and irrational reasons mixed in, but along those are a few good points:

  • Goff has struggled over the past two seasons. His turnover numbers have spiked, QB rating has plummeted, and the Rams offense didn’t have quite the same potency as the year of their Super Bowl run. Rams head coach Sean McVay publicly called out Goff’s decision making, and basically disowned him in what seems like an issue that’s as much personal as professional.
  • Goff’s contract seems high right now. However, it’s just two more years, and it will probably look much better once the next wave of mega contracts for free agent QBs runs its course. Remember when Stafford seemed massively overpaid after his extension? He still has the same contract, but in the current market, now his pay is basically just middle-of-the-pack.
  • There’s quite a bit of exaggeration. Goff is far from a perfect quarterback, but as I see it, his troubles have been greatly exaggerated. It’s true that he’s played relatively poorly over the last two seasons and fell out of favor with Rams coach Sean McVay, but leaving him for the NFL scrap heap at age 26 with the type of achievements he’s had so far in the league is absolutely ridiculous.

As a pro, Goff has led his team to a winning record four times, three playoff wins, earned two Pro Bowl nods, and reached the Super Bowl after the 2018 season. I’ve been one of the biggest Matthew Stafford supporters you’ll meet, but there’s no denying that even at 26, Goff has reached or bettered Stafford in every one of those common measures of success.

Despite modest stats and little late-game drama in his 9th season, I’ve often felt that 2017 was pound-for-pound the best season of Stafford’s career. Guess which youngster was selected for the Pro Bowl in front of him that year.

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