ESPN writer makes dire prediction for Jared Goff’s career

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 31: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Ford Field on October 31, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 31: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Ford Field on October 31, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

Jared Goff will be the Lions starting quarterback until further notice, but an ESPN writer has a dire prediction for the former No. 1 pick’s career.

It’s not all his fault, and he’s not the only reason the Lions are 0-8, but Jared Goff has been bad this year. That being said, he’s going to start every game for the Lions this season unless he’s injured.

Over the final eight games of the season, depending on game situation, the Lions may wind up giving backups David Blough and Tim Boyle some action. But Goff is the best option under center, which says it all.

Even if he sticks around through next season, as seems most likely based on cap implications, Goff also won’t be the Lions’ starting quarterback any longer than he has to be. A rookie signal caller could push or supplant him right away, and said potential rookie quarterback will almost certainly see significant action during the 2022 season.

ESPN writer has dire prediction for Jared Goff’s career

Since we’ve reached the halfway point in the 18-week 2021 NFL season, everyone’s doing some sort of midseason grades, second half predictions, etc. ESPN asked a swath of its writers and analysts for some second half predictions, and Kevin Seifert’s related to the Lions.

"Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff will make his final NFL start as a true starterGoff has objectively been one of the NFL’s worst quarterbacks this season. His Total QBR of 28.9 is lower than that of every starter except rookies Zach Wilson (28.0) and Justin Fields (27.4), and Goff is in such a snooze that he has thrown the ball away on multiple fourth-down conversion attempts. Even with a hefty salary-cap hit looming, what argument could the Lions make for bringing him back?Assuming the Lions become the second team in as many seasons to give up on him, Goff won’t start another NFL game unless it is as someone’s backup.-Kevin Seifert, NFL writer/reporter"

Seifert hints at a case for the Lions not to bring Goff back next season, despite the heavy cap hit, which could happen. As mentioned, it’s a practical guarantee he won’t be the Lions’ starter at the end of next season no matter what.

Goff does not have a long-term place in Detroit, but he should be able to continue his career for awhile whenever he is cut loose. The idea he’ll become a career backup is not surprising, but it  was a bit of a jolt to see someone write in those exact terms.

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