Amid the best season of his career since he helped the Rams reach the Super Bowl, Jared Goff has gained lots of favor in Detroit. And it sounds like he'll be sticking around.
Per a report Sunday morning from the NFL Network, Brad Holmes and the Lions do not view Goff as a bridge to their next starting quarterback, as many outsiders presumed when Detroit acquired him from the Rams in the Matthew Stafford trade two offseasons ago. Rather, "Goff is believed to be (the Lions') starting QB. Period. Not just until someone else comes along."
"The plan is for Goff to be in Detroit for the future," per the report.
Goff has revived his career this season under first-year offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, someone Goff compared to Sean McVay last week. In fact, in his last 17 games since Johnson took over the Lions' passing game midway through last season, Goff has been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL with a passer rating of 98.95.
Goff, 28, arrived in Detroit with the support of Holmes, one of the main voices behind the Rams' decision to draft him first overall in 2016 when Holmes was the club's director of college scouting. He has since gained favor across the organization -- and inside the locker room -- for elevating his play this season with a banged-up supporting cast and emerging as a leader on a rebuilding team.
And the Lions are "not looking to move on from that," per the report.
Looking ahead, Goff is signed through 2024 with cap hits of $30.7 million next year and $31.7 million the year after. That's pretty good value for a quarterback who's playing like one of the best 10 or 12 in the league at a position where salaries continue to soar. Goff projects to rank No. 11 in QB cap hits next year, with Deshaun Watson leading the way at $55 million.
The Lions' commitment to Goff doesn't preclude them from selecting a quarterback in next year's draft, where they have two first-round picks and two second-rounders. If the team is sold on one of the top passers, it could very well still draft him as someone to be groomed under Goff's wing.
But when the Lions open next season, it's safe to say Goff will be QB1.
Listen live to 97.1 The Ticket via:
Audacy App | Online Stream | Smart Speaker