5 Detroit Lions with big contract implications this year

3. QB Jared Goff

Upon getting him in the Matthew Stafford trade last offseason, in the name of creating a bit of cap space in cap-suppressed year, the Lions restructured Goff’s contract and practically locked themselves into keeping him in 2022. So they’ve committed themselves to him for this year and given him the best situation they can.

Goff will carry momentum from a strong finish last season and what’s been a good offseason by all (however biased) accounts into the new season. Compared to this time a year ago, there are few if any excuses for him not to be better right off the bat in 2022.

Goff is likely not the long-term answer for the Lions under center. It’s only a matter of when they can replace him, and the anointed quarterback of the future may come in the 2023 draft with two first-round picks again.

But apart from his future in Detroit, when they can cut him with only $10 million in dead money in 2023, Goff could play well enough to land a solid deal elsewhere as someone’s starter if he plays well enough this year and the Lions don’t keep him.

The supply of capable NFL quarterbacks does not fill the demand. So Goff is playing to extend his run as a starter this year. Whatever uniform he’s wearing a year from now.