Detroit Lions fans have seen the best and worst of Jared Goff as their quarterback since he was traded to the Motor City as part of the blockbuster deal that sent former franchise star Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in 2021.
The Lions faithful will never forget the magical night of January 14, 2024, when Goff helped lead Detroit to their first playoff win in 32 years. Since his arrival, the franchise has won two NFC North titles and two playoff games.
Even after taking a step back last season, Goff still has a case as a top-ten quarterback in the NFL. However, following the Chicago Bears' Caleb Williams' emergence, does he still have a case for the top spot in the division? What about Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers, or the Minnesota Vikings' high-profile free-agent addition, Kyler Murray?
Frankly, an argument can be made for any of the guys mentioned to sit atop the rankings among the four of them. Here's where Goff falls in the debate of the NFC North’s top four QBs entering the 2026 NFL season.
Where does the Detroit Lions' Jared Goff rank among the NFC North QBs?
4. Kyler Murray, Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings will go as far as Kyler Murray can take them. He has the weapons around him, with star wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, and tight end T.J. Hockenson, plus a good offensive line. The ex-Arizona Cardinal (presumably) takes over the starting role with high expectations.
Murray has a prime chance to make a comeback with the Vikings after suffering a severe foot sprain in his final season with the Arizona Cardinals. Talent has never been a question for the 2019 No. 1 overall pick. He's a dangerous dual threat who can make all the throws and stress opponents on the ground.
3. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers are looking to bounce back from what was a heartbreaking end to the 2025 season. The Packers had their most hated rival, the Bears, on the ropes only to see an 18-point lead slip away and lose 31-27 in the NFC Wild Card Round.
Love is coming off a 2025 season with the Packers in which he threw for 3,381 yards, 23 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Pending running back Josh Jacobs' legal case, he could be unavailable to start the season for Green Bay.
This ultimately would result in the Packers having to rely on Love more offensively, and they will be put to the test, as last season Green Bay had one of the fewest pass attempts in the NFL.
2. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
In his second season and first under former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Williams put the league on notice, leading the Bears to their first NFC North title since 2018 and several miraculous game-winning drives and comebacks.
There's still tremendous room for growth on a down-to-down basis. Williams has yet to show he can consistently play at a high level and specifically has struggled with accuracy. His outstanding playmaking, athleticism and arm talent are a marvel, though.
Williams has shown a ceiling and clutch factor that are worth some developmental bumps along the way. He finished the 2025 NFL season (regular season plus playoffs) throwing for 4,560 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Now entering 2026, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner and the Bears are the hunted, and how one of the brightest young QBs in the league responds will be worth watching.
1. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
Goff still owns the top spot despite the fourth-place finish in the NFC North last season, with Detroit still finishing the year with a winning record at 9-8. He has a track record that precedes him, and he deserves the benefit of the doubt, considering the Lions' letdown campaign didn't exactly fall on his shoulders.
With a banged-up offensive line and Dan Campbell calling the offensive plays for the majority of the season, Goff still managed to put together one of his best seasons, throwing for 4,564 yards, 34 touchdowns, eight interceptions, and completing 68 percent of his passes. The five-time Pro Bowler was a steady presence despite the turmoil surrounding him.
Now with an improved offensive line and a new offensive coordinator in Drew Petzing, Goff and the Lions look to take advantage of a last-place schedule and become kings of the NFC North again.
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