The ending wasn't great, really the final two games of the season if we get right down to it. But Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff had an MVP-caliber season, setting career-highs in multiple categories.
When offensive coordinator Ben Johnson took himself out of the interview process for head coaching jobs about a year ago, no player was in line to benefit more than Goff. Now that Johnson is gone to be the Chicago Bears' head coach, head coach Dan Campbell made it clear that Goff will be involved in the process of hiring the next offensive coordinator.
Johnson cultivated a strong relationship with Goff, which has helped the Lions' signal caller have a career resurgence in Detroit. The next offensive coordinator would do well to follow a similar path, and they surely will.
Brad Holmes offers expected sentiment about Jared Goff with Ben Johnson gone
Lions general manager Brad Holmes had his season-ending press conference on Thursday morning. He made it clear he has no concerns about Goff having any kind of drop-off without Johnson.
"Obviously, he was very productive with Ben as a coordinator," Holmes said. "But he had a lot of prior success before he got here, as well, in a completely different system. I think he’s a better quarterback and more mature quarterback now than he was then when he had early success. I don't foresee (a decline for Goff)."
"I think the guy's in his prime. He's gotten better and better every year. And when I say prime, I think, like, just entering it," Holmes said. "It's because he keeps ascending. I think, like every single year we've been here, the next year, it's been 'Man, he's playing at a high level.' And the levels keep improving."
Holmes leaned into his faith in Campbell for assurance Goff will have continued success.
"Again, I just have a lot of faith in [head coach] Dan [Campbell], and I know that he'll make sure that Jared's going to be in a good position", Holmes said.
Goff is definitely a more mature and overall better quarterback that he was early in his career with the Rams, as Holmes was able to witness himself via his role in the Rams' front office back then. And Goff is definitely a more confident quarterback than he was when he first came to Detroit, bolstered by coaches and a front office who believe in him greatly.
While Holmes wouldn't say anything besides what he said about Goff with Johnson gone, there are solid reasons for him to have that faith.