A few minutes after Jared Goff was announced as an MVP finalist for the first time in his career, Lions GM Brad Holmes took to the podium in Allen Park and declared his confidence in the team's nucleus, especially "our quarterback and how he's playing -- having a, let's call it, MVP-caliber season."
The question is this: Will he keep playing like that?
Goff has done nothing but progress since arriving in Detroit. But with Ben Johnson off to Chicago, it's fair to wonder next season whether Goff will take a step back. Johnson was instrumental to Goff's revival with the Lions, from the way he designed the offense around the quarterback's abilities to the way he called plays.
But Goff has had a big hand in it himself. The Lions coaching staff empowers Goff by giving him ownership of the playbook. They solicit his ideas and often bring them to life. They value his vision, ahead of games as much as during them. That includes Dan Campbell, who said Goff will have significant input into the next offensive coordinator. It also includes passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand, who could well be Johnson's successor.
Asked Thursday about Goff maintaining his level of play without Johnson, Holmes said, "I feel very confident in that." Because "as long as Dan’s the head coach here and as long as I’m here," the Lions' offense will be built on the same principles that have allowed Goff to thrive: a stout offensive line, a strong run game to set up the play-action pass and -- yes, even without Johnson -- a commitment to creativity.
"Jared, in particular, that’s something that I know is at the forefront of Dan’s mind in terms of, what’s going to be the best thing for him?" Holmes said. "So, I got faith that everything will be OK."
The offensive line will remain a strength. Holmes made that clear on Thursday. He said that it amounts it to "the whole thing" for the Lions on offense, the foundation of their identity. With the unit beginning to age -- four of the five starters will enter, at least, year eight of their respective careers next season -- the Lions will make it a priority this offseason.
"You have to get the whole garden watered, at all points," said Holmes. "It's going to be the whole unit. That's the engine for us. I don't care how good we ever get on the offensive line, that one right there is too important for not only our team, our quarterback, everything. It's our identity, man. That alone, it's always going to be at the forefront."
It's hard to overstate Goff's rise under Johnson, and behind that line. In the last three seasons, he's thrown for the most yards and most touchdowns in the NFL. Second on both lists is Patrick Mahomes; third in yards is Josh Allen, third in TD's is Joe Burrow. Goff is also third over this stretch in passer rating (102.7), bested by only Lamar Jackson and Brock Purdy. Was his success a product of Johnson?
"No," said Holmes, "I can’t say that. "Obviously he was very productive with Ben as a coordinator, but he had a lot of prior success before he got here, as well, in a completely different system. I think he’s a better quarterback and more mature quarterback now than he was then when he had early success."
In other words, said Holmes, "I don't foresee" a drop-off for Goff in the wake of Johnson's departure.
"The guy’s in his prime, he’s gotten better and better every year. And when I say prime, I think just entering it. Because he keeps ascending," said Holmes. "Every single year we’ve been here, the next year has been, ‘Man, he’s playing at a high level,’ and the levels keep improving. Again, I just have a lot of faith in Dan and I know that he’ll make sure that Jared is going to be in a good position."
In which case the Lions will be, too.