Since the moment he was acquired from the Los Angeles Rams in the trade that sent Matthew Stafford the other way, the Detroit Lions have been firmly committed to Jared Goff. While that faith was hard to buy early, he has proven it worthy over time as the team climbed the ranks to contender status.
Still, after a disappointing season in 2025, there's a pertinent question moving forward. Given the limitations he has shown, what is the Lions' ceiling with Goff as the quarterback?
Can they win a Super Bowl? If we're being honest, it feels like the NFC Championship Game appearance at the end of the 2023 season might be the ceiling with Goff under center. Getting back there, or beyond, has proven to be the tough task Dan Campbell foresaw it'd be.
Goff is under contract through 2028, so the time for the Lions to consider moving on is not necessarily on the doorstep. But things can change quickly, since the NFL does stand for "Not For Long", and a good plan for even a multi-week injury to Goff doesn't exist right now.
Lions put a little heat on Jared Goff's seat in early 2027 mock draft
Dane Brugler of The Athletic has joined the run of early 2027 mock drafts, basing his on current Super Bowl odds. At pick No. 23, he has the Lions taking USC quarterback Jayden Maiava.
"Despite losing Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane, Maiava is in a situation to become a Heisman contender and push for a spot in the first round."
Brugler did call his mock draft a "watchlist of 32 prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft, in a mock draft format", which explains why he did not flesh out the idea the Lions could take a quarterback in the first round of next year's draft. But it is a mock draft after all, and perhaps the insinuation was too obvious to warrant mention, in terms of preparation for a post-Goff future.
READ MORE: Draft expert just created unbelievably high expectations for one Lions pick
Maiava started his college career at UNLV, with 11 starts as a redshirt freshman in 2023. He transferred to USC in 2024, starting that season as the backup to Miller Moss before starting the final four games.
Last season, Maiava led the Big Ten in passing yards (3,711) and yards per completion (14.0) with 30 total touchdowns (24 passing) and 10 interceptions. Despite losing two recently drafted wide receivers, he is in line for another nice season in 2026 and he could easily put himself into the first round of the 2027 draft.
If the 2026 season is not the rebound campaign for the Lions that everyone envisions, Goff is sure to catch some heat one way or another. With a palatable out in his contract in 2028, and if there aren't any overly obvious needs to fill, using an early pick on a quarterback in next year's draft would be the clearest way for the team to change course and turn up that heat.
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