Jared Goff Career 180: How the Detroit Lions Quarterback Resurrected His Career
In 2021, Jared Goff was the quarterback for the 3-13-1 Detroit Lions. The consensus around the league was Jared Goff was a stopgap game manager until the Detroit Lions found their star Quarterback of the future. Three years later, the Lions hold a 12-1 record and have Goff signed to a long-term deal. What changed to catapult Goff from a temporary starter to an MVP candidate?
Playmakers around Jared Goff
Jared Goff’s career year came in 2018 when he starred as the signal caller for one of the most prolific offenses of this century. While a vital member, Goff was not the offensive star of the team, running back Todd Gurley was an all-around playmaker out the backfield, while the receiver core of Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, Tyler Higbee, and Brandin Cooks was a reliable stable of pass catchers.
The 2024 Lions have mirrored this team-building style by providing Goff with an excellent run game based around the dynamic duo of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Adding to an impressive running game are the multiple reliable pass catchers the Detroit Lions have in the form of Amon Ra St Brown, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta, and Tim Patrick.
Surrounded by so much talent, Goff has been able to return to his 2018 form. The Detroit Lions front office knew Jared Goff plays the Game Manager role quite well when surrounded by such a stable support structure.
A great defense for the Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are currently second in points allowed per game. This staunch group of playmakers provides Goff with a dependable defense that can take pressure off his shoulders when he is not performing well. The Detroit Lions are also able to keep games close and provide great field position for their starting QB.
The Rams' defense centered around Aaron Donald never failed to generate plays for the team. Goff had a defense that routinely used pressure to force turnovers or 3-and-outs to get him the ball back.
This is important to note, as Goff's playstyle with a lead is vastly safer than when he plays chasing the game. With a lead, he can lean on the run game, while when trailing and forced to throw, he usually turns the ball over to the opposing team. The Detroit Lions' strong defense adds to Goff's game-manager style.
A head coach that believes in him
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell could've replaced Jared Goff. Instead, he chose to invest in Goff by providing him with great support and paying him among the highest in his position. Goff has redeemed the trust by playing so well for the Lions.
Towards the end of his Rams' tenure, Goff developed a turnover problem, throwing 29 interceptions in his last 31 starts. Goff was trying to create opportunities for his team, but they sadly ended in the opposition's hand. These mistakes led to weak performances in the playoffs, which caused Rams' head coach Sean McVay to lose trust in Goff and to trade him for the more experienced and consistent Matthew Stafford.
Head Coach Dan Campbell spent time with the New Orleans Saints under Sean Payton and Drew Brees. This offense was famous for spreading the ball among multiple playmakers, and HC Dab Campbell has been able to provide Goff with multiple pass-catching options. It allows Goff to share the offensive burden with a host of receivers and makes the offense that much harder to stop.
The final question for Jared Goff
Another problem that emerged during his final days with the Rams was an injury to star running back Todd Gurley, who was the centerpiece on offense and took much of the playmaking burden off the back of Goff. The injury caused the Rams to ask for more from Goff. He led the league in pass attempts that season (626 pass attempts in 2019). This heavy load proved too much for Goff, who also had a career-worst year in interceptions with sixteen (16).
In 2024, Jared Goff has to prove he has overcome his turnover problem and has grown into a Quarterback who can shoulder the offensive burden when his playmakers are injured or off their game.
In playoff games against the best of the NFL, Goff and the Lions will meet teams capable of grinding their offense to a screeching halt. In those moments, Goff has to prove he can rise above a mediocre performance from his run game and an off day from his defense and playmakers and that he can win the game himself as a playmaker. If Goff cannot rise above these challenges, he'll forever be seen as a good game manager who was never great enough to win when it mattered most.