Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff once again finds himself ranked in the top ten among NFL QBs.
This latest ranking, compiled by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, was not voted on by writers, analysts, or a hot take artists. This list is part of ESPN's ranking series where NFL coaches, executives, and scouts are surveyed on the best players at each position as it stands now.
Those ball knowers collectively view Goff as the ninth best QB in the NFL, with him appearing in the top ten in 60% of the ballots, per Fowler. Goff drops one spot from last season, and places him just behind MVP-runner up Drake Maye of the New England Patriots, illustrating how competitive this top ten is.
Fowler only shares one quote from an NFL coordinator, who said of Goff, "The guy wins," adding, "He's going to find a completion if not under pressure. Mature pocket passer with a plus arm who can layer the ball at all levels."
In recent years, Goff has put up the most impressive passing numbers in the NFL, with a league-leading 18,206 passing yards and 130 passing touchdowns since the start of the 2022 season. That lead isn't barely, either. Goff has 1,258 more passing yards than second-place Patrick Mahomes, although Goff played five more games. He also has 13 more TD passes than second-place Josh Allen, with Goff playing one more game than Allen.
As that coordinator alluded to, mobility and ability under pressure continues to be a knock on Goff. Goff's struggles under pressure may be a tad overstated, but it does rear it's ugly head at times. Especially after being sacked 38 times last season.
It's an area Goff has steadily improved in, as Fowler mentions that Goff is "known in league circles for good footwork, and he has improved his toughness from inside the pocket over five years in Detroit."
How Goff stacks up among NFC QBs
This QB list only ranks the top ten QBs, but does list off a couple of honorable mentions. Among those honorable mentions is Super Bowl-champion Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks. One "high-ranking" AFC team official did believe Darnold deserved a top-ten spot, praising his "career bounce-back" these past two seasons.
As for that last #10 spot sandwiched between Goff and Darnold, that would be Chicago Bears' Caleb Williams. Williams actually won out in a tiebreaker over Darnold, Washington Commanders' Jayden Daniels, and Green Bay Packers' Jordan Love. Fowler describes the reasoning as "He's the hardest of the four for teams to prepare for and defend," with one personnel evaluator describing him as a "closer" after how numerous miraculous late-game victories.
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With Love as an honorable mention, and no Minnesota Vikings found anywhere, those coaches, executives, and scouts consider Goff the best QB in the NFC North. Expanding this to the NFC as a whole, Goff finds himself 3rd behind reigning MVP Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams and Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott.
Top three in the NFC is a fitting placement for Goff, as he's been a perennial Pro Bowler in the conference, having been named in three of the past four seasons. Stafford and Prescott were also Pro Bowlers last season, with all three being the three most recent QBs named First-Team All-NFC by Pro Football Writers of America.
This is a big season coming up for Goff, who turns 32 this season. Entering his sixth season in Detroit, with a tenure that included an NFC title game berth and a one-seed, Goff is under immense pressure to parlay that success into a Lombardi trophy. If he can get that monkey off his back, don't be shocked if he finds himself in the top five in this list a year from now.
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