"Jared Goff Is Good Enough For Detroit:" A Timeline of His Incredible Lions Revival

Eric Woodyard of ESPN currently covers the Detroit Lions for ESPN. Initially joining ESPN as an NBA reporter covering Midwest regions before transitioning into his current role in April 2021. Flint native and Western Michigan University graduate Ethan Torbert holds three books to his credit – Wasted: Ethan’s Talent Search” and All In: The Kelvin Torbert Story”. Ethan and his family reside in Flint. Follow him on Twitter: @E_WoodyardDETROIT — Jared Goff was stunned to feel Michigan air’s chill on March 20, 2021; just hours earlier he had taken off from California after arriving back on an airliner from his first flight since leaving Los Angeles Rams quarterback Eric Grunfeld behind as quarterback of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Garrard Goff had arrived from his tour with Los Angeles Rams quarterback Philip Rivers for Michigan to visit an old friend from school, Detroit’s Robert Woodard (WWoodyard), before arriving to Detroit from California via flight where Goff would meet former Los Angeles Rams quarterback Eric Garver who would also meet former colleague Robert Woodard who would become his mentor during that trip from his former teammate; both would depart shortly afterwards and arrive back into Detroit before reaching Californian air-bourndance of course before this eventful journey would change significantly for Goff; while before arriving he would feel his former Los Angeles Rams quarterback Robert Woodard (after having just arrived back). It all happened before. In March 2021 Goff just finished up by taking off another plane ride out west en route 10. Days earlier, the Rams and Detroit Lions completed a trade that sent Goff from Los Angeles to Detroit for longtime Lions QB Matthew Stafford – marking it as an historic event in NFL history. For football historians alike, Goff’s move marked only his second NFL trade he would make since becoming number 24 overall back in 1995. Goff (in 2016) and Stafford (in 2009) had already traded during this common draft era, giving Goff an opportunity to redeem himself after leading Los Angeles Rams to Super Bowl berth during his third year with them. Goff felt let down when his star faded drastically following Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl run; hence this trade provided another shot at redemption in L.A. Discord between coach Sean McVay and player Josh Harris ultimately led to their sudden removal from perennial contender Los Angeles Rams for turnovers that sent their QB out in Detroit during its rebuild. Best of NFL Nation* Mahomes and Jackson to add spice in opener* Kyler Murray hopes LA trip means wins* Bengals believe Chase still can have an impactful role* Rams seeking revenge against Detroit* Cowboys McCarthy see opportunity in 2024*
At the time of Goff’s cold arrival to Detroit, football in Detroit represented something akin to an anachronistic backwater. Since 1991 when Super Bowl I took place, they had only ever managed a single postseason victory (in 1991) while since 1955 no quarterback had managed multiple playoff games consecutively in one season. But Goff boarded his flight unfazed by history or what lay ahead on their daunting path. Goff saw this opportunity as an opportunity to build his legacy and contribute towards something special; something they could build into something even greater in time, which they hope to do together with his team and colleagues in three short years. And Goff has done exactly that. Last season, Matthew Stafford became one of only three quarterbacks in Lions history (joining Tobin Rote (1957 and 1953, 1952) to win multiple postseason games at once; falling one win short of helping lead his franchise into its inaugural Super Bowl appearance. After knocking off Stafford and the Rams in an electric wild-card matchup at Ford Field for their first playoff victory since 1988, the Lions look ahead to facing them back once more on Sunday (8:20 p.m.). Goff was recently honored with a four-year, $212 million extension and is entering this game as one of Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford’s key pieces to lead them back to Super Bowl 50 in 2024. “Where he goes, our offense follows. Coach Dan Campbell noted, “we expect him to do much,” with Coach Campbell noting “we may ask even more than before, because he can manage. His performance speaks for itself – playing at such a high level while understanding he doesn’t need to carry the load all on his own is evidence enough of that fact.” “Here is an in-depth look at Goff’s three-year rise with Detroit. On March 17, 2021, Detroit completed a trade that sends Stafford, their all-time passing leader, over to Los Angeles Rams for Goff as part of an unprecedented blockbuster deal involving Goff, three draft picks (two first rounders among them) and three first-rounders.” Goff had spent five seasons as the starting quarterback of L.A. Rams accumulating an overall record of 42-27 during that timeframe. When announced officially by Lions general manager Brad Holmes weeks before it took place in March, this deal became one of his major moves as they transitioned away from Rams quarterback Jared Goff who spent five seasons there with them before heading east with Brad Holmes to Detroit and being officially traded by them weeks before making this deal. He excelled under McVay’s watch as head coach during 2017, winning back-to-back division titles and reaching one Super Bowl. However, their relationship began to falter over the next two seasons as Goff struggled in game after game with 38 turnovers in that span alone – something Goff later noted was something Detroit offered him an opportunity for redemption that he eagerly accepted. Goff told ESPN in 2023, “I just put my head down and went to work,” knowing it wouldn’t be easy; we knew there would be things we needed to address here – particularly given it being their inaugural year as part of Goff’s staff – yet being upbeat about meeting such challenges head-on. I felt ready for that task. No one anticipated that Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford being traded would work out this well for both players.”2021 Season: On Oct 17, the Lions become NFL’s last winless team following their 34-11 defeat by Cincinnati Bengals Detroit was held scoreless for three quarters during an otherwise light booing from Ford Field crowd; Goff threw for only 38 yards during first half before finishing game with 202 total passing yards and one interception. This loss marked its first since 2008 when team finished winless (also an 0-16 start for Detroit). After the game, Campbell publicly challenged Goff to make strides toward improvement. She stated: “I feel as if he needs to step up more, just like everyone else on our team does. “He needs some weight on his shoulders here and now is the time for him to step up, make some throws and do his thing but needs assistance from other players,” Goff was advised in October after joining his new team from Los Angeles in a trade. On Oct 24th the Lions lost at Los Angeles 28-19 with Goff facing his former team for the first time post trade. Goff expressed his displeasure with how the deal played out, admitting no information had been relayed prior to it happening. Goff noted, that at times “respect was felt towards the end, with some bitterness felt towards that time; you still bear this burden,” Goff claimed. Goff completed 268 yards with two interceptions against Stafford’s 334 yards and three touchdowns, sending Detroit reeling, leaving Goff still searching for his first victory as Detroit quarterback. December 5 (Reuters). 5. Goff earns his inaugural win as the Lions quarterback by throwing an 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown as time winds down against Minnesota Vikings 29-27, for victory on November 5th. Goff completed 25 of 41 for 296 yards including three touchdown passes and an interception en route to this impressive performance. Goff secured his victory with an 18-play, 75-yard scoring drive over the final 1:50. At that momentous moment of victory, he immediately ran up to Campbell — who celebrated by jumping with joy — to give him a hearty hug and shake hands with him. Campbell noted, “His ability to rally back and lead us all the way back down before making that game-winning throw is testament to who he is; I was proud of him.” Jared Goff faced plenty of obstacles in his first season with Detroit Lions, according to an AP Photo/Lon Horwedel report. On January 10th they fired offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn one day later than anticipated.” Campbell had already stripped Lynn of playcalling duties prior to their Week 10 game against Pittsburgh; so this move did not come as any shock. Campbell claimed Lynn wasn’t an ideal fit on Detroit staff and that their offense never found a rhythm with him at the helm; thus leading him to leave after only one season on board. Overall, Goff had an unsuccessful 2021 season, ranking 24th-lowest for QBR (45.5). He completed 3,245, throwing 19 touchdown passes against eight interceptions for 3,2445 total passing yards thrown. PIGSKIN PICK ‘EM is free and allows up to five entries – compete for over $100K prizes worth of prizes today by picking your players! Make Your Picks Now
On February 9, the Lions promoted tight ends coach Ben Johnson to offensive coordinator after Lynn was demoted following their bye week bye week bye week bye week bye week bye week bye week bye week bye week Johnson came aboard with the Lions as an offensive quality control coach before being elevated to tight ends coach later. Through their collaboration, Goff and Johnson would become key figures in leading an eventual turnaround effort by their franchise. (February 2019). On Jan 13, 2016, among cheers of many Lions fans who had purchased “Detroit Rams” T-shirts before Super Bowl LVI, Stafford led Los Angeles Rams to an unbelievable 23-20 victory against Cincinnati Bengals for Super Bowl LVI victory and completed his remarkable rookie campaign in Los Angeles.2022 SeasonOct 22 31-30 Nov 1: After five consecutive losses, the Lions make changes: dismiss defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant and trade Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson — one of Goff’s primary weapons — to Minnesota Vikings for two 2023 second and 2024 third round picks respectively. “We’re still in the build phase,” Holmes stated when discussing their deal. “With all the capital that came back from compensation, I believe it made more sense than not for us to pursue this build project.”Dec. 1, 2013 7: Following their personnel revamp, Goff and the Lions found success quickly, winning four out of their next five games before recording an impressive 40-10 triumph against playoff-bound Jacksonville Jaguars on December 4. Goff made his claim three days after Lions dropped three straight games – when their record stood at 5-7 – when speaking about himself, asserting he’s playing the best football of his career – surpassing even 2018 when leading Rams to Super Bowl LIII victory. “I have played good football throughout my career, but right now is when I feel most at ease,” Goff noted. “As I get older and understand more of the game, things seem to come together better for me and everything’s starting to click together more,” Goff has already made his mark in Lions history. Junfu Han-USA TODAY SportsJan. 8, 2023: Detroit end their 2022 campaign in style by defeating Green Bay by 20-point margin at Lambeau Field. Green Bay was denied a playoff berth by Goff in his final game with Green Bay after starting 6-6-3 and going winless during their initial 10 games, yet 8 victories over their last ten contests led them into being top-5 scoring offense in 2017. Aaron Rodgers would go down as Green Bay quarterback. Goff helped lead Detroit back from losing streak of six consecutive contests while spearheading top five offense throughout this campaign. Goff finished his season with the highest touchdown-to-interception ratio (4-to-1) in the NFL (4-1), and excelled during his final 10 games, throwing 17 touchdown passes against just one pick – bettering Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Tom Brady and Rodgers during that stretch. He set a franchise mark with 324 consecutive passes without an interception and earned the fifth-highest total QBR (61.1). 2023 offseasonCampbell offers public praise of Goff as “an even better quarterback in Detroit than Los Angeles”, telling reporters on June 6. Campbell applauded Goff’s improvement during Detroit prior to starting his third season with them. “He persevered, and what you are seeing here is someone who put in hard work on himself and improved what they could,” Campbell stated. His confidence had grown as well, along with an increased maturity as quarterback. “He’s an improved quarterback now because of all he can do; mentally speaking.” 2023 seasonDec. Detroit captures its first division title since 1993 with a 30-24 victory against Minnesota Vikings on Nov 24 to end one of the NFL’s longest active division title droughts since 1993 – Goff wasn’t even alive back then when Detroit last claimed one! Goff passed for 257 yards and one touchdown, saying afterward “it really is awesome”. Being able to look back and realize they accomplished something which hadn’t been done by team after team in over thirty years made Goff very proud. “[That was] something incredible!” Goff stated of his accomplishment. 2023 team broke streak and will guarantee home playoff game, though more work needs to be done over next couple weeks and subsequent. Jan 14, 2024: Chanting of “Ja-Red GOFF! Ja-Red GOFF!” filled stadium at game 1. Goff led his Lions past Stafford and the Rams 24-23 at Ford Field to claim an NFC wild-card round victory, and deliver Detroit its first playoff win since 1991 season. For Stafford it marked his inaugural road game. Goff completed 81% of his 27 pass attempts for 277 yards and one touchdown, while Stafford completed 25 of 36 passes for 367 yards with two scores. A fired-up Campbell presented Goff the game ball. “Jared Goff, you are good enough for Detroit,” Matthew Stafford gushed to Jared Goff as their respective teams squared off against each other in 2021’s trade deadline game at Ford Field – an epiphany that saw Goff lead his Lions over Stafford and lead their NFC wild-card win! David Reginek/USA TODAY SportsJan. 8 Jan 28, 2024: Playing their first NFC title game since 1991, the Lions fall 34-31 against San Francisco 49ers after holding an 18 point advantage at halftime. Goff finished 25 of 41 for 273 yards and one touchdown: “My emotions? Devastatingly sad,” Goff lamented. “There has been some emotional shock,” I lament, as “it has been hard for me to juggle both feelings – being proud of all we accomplished this season as well as mourning their departure.” 2024 offseasonMay 16, 2024: The Lions award Goff with an extension worth $212 Million over four years with $170 Million guaranteed. Goff will turn 34 by the time his contract runs out in 2028 and, following recent extensions for St. Brown (four years, $120.01 million) and offensive tackle Penei Sewell (four years, $112 million), become the highest-paid player in franchise history. Goff noted, following the announcement, that this development represented “an exceptional conclusion to three years’ hard work, leaving him even more inspired and driven to bring a Super Bowl championship back home – that’s what matters.”