By Mummy Grace 
Jared Goff’s remarkable 2024 season has placed him among the finalists for the NFL MVP award, showcasing just how exceptional his play has been for the Detroit Lions. As one of the top quarterbacks in the league this year, Goff finished second in passing yards (4,629), completion percentage (72.4), passer rating (111.8), and touchdown passes (37). His performance demonstrated his ability to connect deep passes, as he tied Minnesota’s Sam Darnold for the most completions of 20-plus yards (62) and led the NFL with eight completions of 50-plus yards. Moreover, Goff made history with six touchdown passes of 50 or more yards, tying the franchise record set by Bobby Layne in 1950.
Notably, Goff’s understanding of the offense and the chemistry he’s built with his skill players has been a key factor in the Lions’ success. With Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, and Sam LaPorta all under contract next season, the offensive core will remain strong. The addition of John Morton as the new offensive coordinator, who has ties to the team from 2022, is expected to continue the success of the offense. Goff and Morton have familiarity with each other, making it likely that Goff’s success in 2024 will carry into 2025.
One of Goff’s standout strengths this season was his performance on third downs, where he helped the Lions convert 47.6% of the time — ranking fourth in the league. His 128.9 passer rating on third down was spectacular, as he threw 13 touchdowns without an interception in those situations. This made the Lions one of the most effective teams in the NFL when faced with crucial third-down conversions.
Despite his tremendous regular-season success, there were a couple of games where Goff’s turnovers became a challenge. In a Week 10 win over Houston, where the Lions triumphed 26-23, Goff threw five interceptions, yet the defense and special teams stepped up to secure the victory. Unfortunately, the turnovers would hurt the Lions in the most pivotal game of the season — the 45-31 loss to Washington in the Divisional Round. In that contest, Goff threw three interceptions, including a pick-six and two in the red zone, while also losing a fumble in the Commanders’ territory. His 57.5 completion percentage in that game was his second-lowest of the season, only behind his performance against Houston. Goff’s 12 interceptions during the regular season tied for the fourth-most in the league, which is something to improve on as the Lions look ahead to 2025.
Goff’s accomplishments in 2024 weren’t limited to just stats. He also broke Tom Brady’s record for the most games in a season completing at least 75% of his passes, achieving this feat nine times — surpassing Brady’s record of eight games in 2007. It’s a testament to Goff’s accuracy and consistency, which were critical to the Lions’ high-powered offense.
As for the Lions’ quarterback room in the future, Goff is locked in with a four-year extension that will run through the 2028 season. He is the present and future of the franchise at quarterback. With that in mind, the team’s front office — led by General Manager Brad Holmes — will be evaluating the development of Hendon Hooker, the rookie backup quarterback. Hooker, who did not see significant playing time in 2024, could eventually become Goff’s heir apparent if his development continues upward. The Lions also have veteran Jake Fromm under contract on a Reserve/Future deal, adding some depth to the position.
Head Coach Dan Campbell has expressed confidence in Hooker’s potential, reaffirming that the signing of Teddy Bridgewater for the playoff stretch run was about ensuring the Lions had a reliable veteran presence heading into the postseason, not a reflection of disappointment in Hooker’s progress. “Doesn’t mean we’re disappointed in Hooker,” Campbell said. “It just means this gives us somebody that’s played a lot in the NFL, we’re getting ready for the playoffs. And so, it’ll be good to get him back in the fold with us.”
Despite the playoff loss to Washington, Goff continues to receive praise from his teammates. All-Pro center Frank Ragnow, who has shared the field with Goff for multiple seasons, showed his unwavering support for the quarterback. “I will ride with Jared Goff until the day I die,” Ragnow said, adding that Goff is not only a talented player but also an exceptional leader and human being. “Any aspect of life, football, no matter what it is, one of the most standup human beings, player, leader, you name it. I’ll always have his back.”
In the coming months, the Lions’ front office will need to make decisions regarding their backup quarterback, and whether they plan to bring in more competition to push Hooker and Fromm. But one thing is certain: Jared Goff’s future with the Lions is bright, and the team’s offensive success in 2024 has set the bar high for next season.