Ask 10 NFL fans what they think of Jared Goff, and you'll get some good, some bad and surely some in-between. The results would likely be the same if you ask writers or other evaluators along that line. Numbers can be found to illuminate whatever someone's view of Goff is.
In a broader sense, Goff is a great example of resilience. Discarded by the Rams and head coach Sean McVay as a quarterback they couldn't win a Super Bowl with (and in terms of that version of Goff, they were right), he has become the guy in Detroit for the foreseeable future.
Some quarterback rankings this offseason have not been kind to the Lions' signal caller. ESPN's is out now (subscription required), as executives, scouts and coaches continue to be polled by them to rank each position.
Jared Goff gets respect from evaluators polled in ESPN QB ranking
Goff comes in at No. 9 in ESPN's ranking this year. The voting was largely done before news of Goff's contract extension this offseason, so his place in the ranking is not skewed by that.
Here's are quotes from evaluators ESPN surveyed.
"He's the best in the NFL at throwing into zone coverage windows," an NFL coordinator said. "I've shown young quarterbacks tape of him and how he throws with anticipation."
"He used to seem nervous in the pocket, but now he's cool in there," an NFC executive said. "I don't think he has that pressure on him like he did in L.A. Detroit has embraced him and he's responded."
"Added an AFC scout: "He's outplayed some of his critics. Played well in big games."
Over the last two seasons, Goff is second in the NFL in passing yards (9,013) and touchdown to interception ratio (3:1). He also leads the league in fourth quarter and overtime QBR over that span (72), and his 18 touchdowns to zero interceptions in the red zone last year was also the league's best clip.
The words from an anonymous AFC scout that Goff has "outplayed some of his critics" captures where he was when the Lions acquired him, and where he is now, perfectly.