Jared Goff had an up-and-down first season with the Lions, so he’s obviously looking to be more consistent as he works toward the 2022 season.
The Detroit Lions started the 2021 season with eight straight losses before their Week 9 bye, and quarterback Jared Goff was the poster boy for the offense’s struggles. Coming out of the bye week head coach Dan Campbell took over the play calling, and things were better down the stretch as the team was more competitive.
Over his final six starts of the season, interrupted by an oblique injury, a bout with COVID-19 and a knee injury that cost him one game each, Goff had an 11:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio with a 101.8 passer rating. Take away the first start of that stretch, when he suffered the aforementioned oblique injury, and he had 107.1 passer rating over his final five starts. The Lions went 3-2 in those games, and 3-2-1 over Goff’s final six starts overall.
Jared Goff wants to find consistency in 2022
After Campbell took over play calling from offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn, Goff’s play improved. The emergence of Amon-Ra St. Brown and the addition of former Rams teammate Josh Reynolds was helpful, and despite his attempt to refute the report of conflict between the two Goff clearly just didn’t click with Lynn.
Goff talked with the Lions’ website on Monday, and pointed to his offseason plan heading toward his second season in Detroit.
"It’s always evolving and changing,” Goff said of his offseason routine. “I’d say at this point four or five years in you figure out what your routine is, so I have my routine.” “But specifically, I’d like to get stronger and faster. I’d like to improve some areas that I think I can. Just be better for everyone.”“There were times this year that weren’t my best. There were times that I was able to show what I’m capable of and be out there and be at my best. Hope to do that quite a bit more, more consistently.”"
The official elevation of Ben Johnson to offensive coordinator will certainly be good for Goff. If the Lions can have all five of their projected starting offensive lineman healthy together for any or all games next season, that will clearly be a good thing too. With better pieces around him, and better synergy all around, Goff should naturally find better consistency next season.