This Detroit Lions team under head coach Dan Campbell isn’t the same group your parents or grandparents watched. Their recent success might surprise some, but not Campbell, who’s always believed in this squad. He’s built a culture of grit and determination that fits a blue-collar city like Detroit perfectly.
The addition of quarterback Jared Goff has helped the Lions improve each season and win the NFC North for the past two years. In 2021, the Lions traded longtime quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for first-round picks in 2022 and 2023, a 2021 third-rounder, and Goff.
Stafford led the Rams to a Super Bowl title in his first season in L.A. The Lions got off to a slower start, but they’ve improved every year since and are now seen as perennial contenders.
Dan Campbell: Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff Is Not Slowing Down
Goff is heading into his 10th NFL season. While quarterbacks typically have longer careers than most positions — thanks partly to rules protecting them — some still wonder if he’s continuing to learn and grow.
Campbell addressed Goff’s development at the recent NFL Annual Meeting in South Florida. He told reporters that Goff keeps improving each year, and the two are already mapping out his next steps.
“He continues to grow every year,” Campbell said. “And I’d say the next step for him, and he knows this — like last year, he came to us and everything we wanted him to do in the offense, he did.
“Then he began to bring stuff to us. As to, ‘Hey man, I can see this look. Let me get to this play. I know I’ve got these options in the bag, but let me get to this as well.’ Right? Those are the things that are beginning to show, and I would anticipate that to take another step up.”
The 30-year-old was selected first overall in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Rams out of the University of California. Looking for a franchise quarterback, the Rams moved up in a trade with the Tennessee Titans to land him.
Goff started backing up Case Keenum but quickly took over the job. Throughout his career, he’s shown that “one of the best abilities is availability.” He’s only missed a few games, including three due to COVID-19, while with the Rams.
He’s been named to four Pro Bowls over nine seasons, including selections in 2022 and 2024 with Detroit. In his four seasons with the Lions, he’s completed 1,511 passes for 16,887 yards, with a 67.9% completion rate. He’s thrown 115 touchdowns to just 39 interceptions.
PFSN’s QB+ metric graded Goff at 92.8 (A-) for the 2024 season. While he dipped in the playoffs — something that’s been a trend in his postseason history — the team as a whole fell apart after building a big lead against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC title game. Goff is still praised for his consistency, clutch play, and ability to deliver on third downs.
The Lions and Campbell are back in the lab this offseason, looking to patch up weaknesses and figure out what needs fixing. From the sound of it, Goff is entirely in sync with his head coach.