Jared Goff, the bargain. Who would have thought?
What was unthinkable entering December, is now the truth with free agency and the NFL Draft looming.
In 2022, Goff’s $31.15 million salary cap hit was the fourth-highest among NFL quarterbacks. For 2023, at just below $31 million, it has dropped to 11th.
When the Lions acquired Goff as part of a trade for Matthew Stafford, they re-structured his deal for cap reasons, so a buyout was prohibitive after his first season. Now, the buyout has fallen to $10 million in regard to the dead cap hit. Goff has one more season remaining on his contract after 2023. For 2024, it is a $31.65 million salary cap hit, but the dead cap hit if the Lions release or trade Goff before that season falls to $5 million.
The Derek Carr deal with Saints, the Daniel Jones contract with the Giants and what Lamar Jackson is ultimately going to receive, make Goff’s contract look better and better.
That’s especially true considering how he closed the 2022 season. He avoided turnovers, which had been his biggest issue, and took full advantage of the Lions’ stellar pass protection and running game. Goff, impressively, gutted out an exceptionally difficult first year-and-a-half with the Lions.
Goff is an accurate intermediate passer. He is particularly adroit at out-routes. The criticism Goff lacks a deep arm is unfounded. The Lions have missed a genuine over-the-top receiving threat. That will change if Jamison Williams progresses as expected.
Goff is a true professional. He is a genuine leader.
However, if you are getting the impression this is a suggestion the Lions extend Goff’s contract, it is not.
It’s more an acknowledgement that Goff absolutely should be the Lions’ QB in ‘23. He unquestionably earned it.
And it’s also understanding the Lions should make Goff earn it again.
The Lions hold the cards. Goff will be there in ‘24, albeit at a hefty salary, if the Lions want him. If they don’t, there will be no problem moving on from Goff because of the low dead cap hit.
The worst thing the Lions can do is overreact to the current QB market and extend Goff before necessary.
Obviously, the Lions need a veteran backup. They played with fire in that regard last season and were fortunate they weren’t burned.
Taylor Heinicke, Mike White, Carson Wentz, Marcus Mariota, Drew Lock, Cooper Rush, Andy Dalton, Case Keenum and Teddy Bridgewater present reasonable options.
No QB in this draft checks all the boxes. It ranges from the very smooth and refined, but extremely undersized Bryce Young, to the exceptionally athletic, but decidedly raw Anthony Richardson. C.J. Stroud is the best pure passer, yet there are concerns about his reactions when pressured. There are those who think highly of Will Levis, but it’s fair to question why after a mediocre ‘22 season.
The Lions need to draft a developmental QB, though, and tether him with a veteran backup. There is no need, however, to draft a QB with either of their first-round selections, unless they deem one as elite, nor is there any reason to bite on the Lamar Jackson hype.
That doesn’t mean Goff necessarily is the long-term Lions’ QB.
But his contract and much-improved performance has given the Lions short-term flexibility.
And in the realm of the NFL, given the complexities of roster building, it’s a gift.