By Blessing 
Jared Goff Sparks NFC North Drama With Bold Move Against Vikings
The rivalry between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings just got a little more heated—thanks to a subtle but bold move by quarterback Jared Goff.
The Lions signal-caller, who has had impressive success against the Vikings, added fuel to the divisional rivalry during a recent autograph session. While signing items for fans at a Fanatics event, Goff was handed a Vikings cap. Rather than simply signing it and moving on, he took things a step further—crossing out the Vikings logo after signing.
The moment was captured on video and originally shared on TikTok before being reposted to X (formerly Twitter) by The Detroit Times on June 17. In the clip, Goff can be heard reacting as he receives the cap:
“Oh, man,” he mutters with a smirk before crossing out the logo.
Fans were quick to react online.
“That’s my QB,” one excited supporter wrote in the comments.
Another joked, “At least he signed it, I’ll give him that lol.”
And perhaps the boldest fan reaction came with the cheeky remark: “Should’ve just signed ‘Daddy.’”
Goff’s Track Record Against Minnesota
Goff’s confidence isn’t without reason. He holds a 7-3 career record against the Vikings, including five straight wins as the Lions’ starter. His consistent performance has made him a thorn in Minnesota’s side—and he clearly knows it.
While his move during the autograph session may be playful, it also speaks to a rivalry that’s growing fiercer with each season.
Vikings Looking Ahead to 2025
As much as Goff’s gesture might sting for Vikings fans, Minnesota has more pressing challenges on the horizon. The team is preparing to open the 2025 season against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. The first face-off with Detroit won’t come until Week 9, with a Christmas Day rematch in Week 17.
This time around, the stakes might look a little different. Both franchises are navigating major changes as they prepare for the upcoming season.
The Vikings will be led by rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, their 2024 first-round draft pick. He’s stepping into a team that won 14 games last season under Sam Darnold, who’s now with the Seattle Seahawks. McCarthy has the benefit of a seasoned roster, featuring one of the top defenses and an impressive group of skill players.
On the other hand, the Lions are adjusting too. They lost both of their coordinators to head coaching jobs, and veteran center Frank Ragnow has retired. Still, with Goff at the helm, Detroit remains a strong contender in the NFC North.
Respect From the Other Side
While Goff took a lighthearted jab at Minnesota, not everyone in Detroit is throwing shade.
Lions star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown—who has his own solid record against the Vikings at 6-2—offered genuine praise for Minnesota’s defense and coaching. Speaking on The St. Brown Podcast on June 11, he gave a shoutout to Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores during a conversation with Vikings rookie wideout Tai Felton.
“The Vikings, they’re a good team,” St. Brown said.
“Coach Flores, your DC, bro? I don’t know what you guys are going to be doing in practice. But in games, bro, he runs the craziest defenses I’ve ever seen in my life.”
Flores’ aggressive defensive schemes are certainly distinctive. While the Vikings struggled in pass defense last year—ranking 28th—they ranked fifth in points allowed, fourth in sacks, and led the league in blitz rate. They also excelled on key downs, finishing fourth on third-down conversion rate (35.6%) and topping the league on fourth downs (37.1%).
The next big test for Flores and his defense? Finding a way to contain Goff and the Lions’ offense, which has given them plenty of headaches in recent seasons.