By Sunday 
When Jared Goff was shipped from the Los Angeles Rams to the Detroit Lions in 2021, most people thought they were watching the final chapter of a once-promising career. Sure, he had that No. 1 overall pick pedigree from 2016, but the general belief was that Goff was headed to Motor City to quietly fade into the background while the Rams chased glory elsewhere.
Well… fast-forward to today, and that narrative aged like milk left in the sun.
The Doubters Were Loud—But Goff Was Louder
Goff didn’t come to Detroit to be a placeholder. With head coach Dan Campbell in his corner and a vision that stretched beyond rebuilding years, he set out to prove he wasn’t done yet.
Now in his fifth season with the Lions, Goff has led the team into legitimate championship contender territory. And people across the NFL are starting to give him his flowers.
NFL coaches and executives, surveyed by The Athletic’s Mike Sando, placed Goff in Tier 2 overall—but some believe he belongs in Tier 1.
“Goff and Burrow are probably the two best anticipation throwers that I have seen lately, so you have to put him at a 1,” one head coach said. “The guy has played at a 1 level for three years.”
That’s not just praise—that’s football royalty tipping the hat.
The Other Side of the Argument
Of course, not everyone is sold. Some critics say he’s still too dependent on having the perfect setup—strong run game, reliable defense, and good protection.
“He’s a 3 because he needs the run game, he needs a defense, he needs all those things,” one voter said.
But here’s the thing: last I checked, football was still a team sport. And in the right system, Goff has been delivering elite-level results.
Why This Matters for the Lions
Detroit’s football culture is thriving. From All-Pro tackle Penei Sewell’s leadership to GM Brad Holmes’ roster wizardry, this is a team built to compete for years. ESPN even ranked them in the top five for long-term expectations.
If Goff continues to play with this kind of consistency, “Tier 1” won’t be a debate—it’ll be a fact.