By Blessing 
Rankings in sports are always a bit messy. As much as we like to pretend they’re purely objective, they’re almost always colored by personal opinions, biases, and gut feelings. Sure, analytics and advanced stats are more available than ever, but has that completely replaced the ol’ eye test? Not quite.
What isn’t up for debate, though, is Jared Goff’s rise since landing in Detroit in 2021. At 30 years old, Goff has completely rewritten the narrative of his career. After a rocky start in his first season with the Lions, he’s turned into one of the most consistent and reliable quarterbacks in the league. Detroit’s offense has exploded under his leadership, becoming one of the NFL’s most dangerous units over the last couple of years.
This past season might have been Goff’s finest. He threw for 4,629 yards, tallied a career-high 37 touchdowns, completed 72.4% of his passes—a personal best—and led the Lions to 15 regular-season wins. That impressive stretch earned him a fifth-place finish in the MVP voting.
Now, does that make him a top-five quarterback in the league? Not necessarily. But his recent placement in ESPN’s 2025 quarterback rankings—courtesy of Jeremy Fowler—has definitely sparked some conversation. Goff landed at No. 8 overall, which feels both completely fair and strangely dismissive at the same time.
One defensive coach, speaking to Fowler, didn’t hold back in praising Goff’s growth:
“He’s developed into one of the game’s best pure passers,” a veteran NFC defensive coach said. “He doesn’t turn the ball over like he used to. He’s a reliable quarterback with a real arm. He’s not just a dropback passer who makes s— happen. He’s become more than that.”
That’s high praise, and it helps justify his top-10 spot. But then you look at who’s ranked just above him—and the confusion starts.
Coming in at No. 7 is Justin Herbert of the LA Chargers. Herbert’s numbers are certainly strong—over 21,000 passing yards through five seasons—but his playoff resume is lacking. With a 0-2 postseason record and no deep runs, it’s tough to make the case he’s definitively ahead of Goff. Herbert has the look and arm of a franchise QB, but there’s a feeling that his ranking relies more on potential than actual results.
Even more eyebrow-raising is the No. 6 spot, which went to Matthew Stafford—Goff’s predecessor in Detroit. No doubt, Stafford has had a strong career and even brought home a Super Bowl. But right now, in this moment, is he really performing at a higher level than Goff? That’s up for debate. It seems like reputation might be carrying a bit more weight than recent performance.
This is where rankings show their true colors: they’re less about exact science and more about perception. And depending on your perspective, Goff’s No. 8 spot can feel like a solid acknowledgment—or a polite snub.
Regardless, one thing is crystal clear—Goff is firmly in the conversation now. He may not be getting the same benefit of the doubt as other big-name quarterbacks, but the fact that he’s cracked the top 10 is a testament to just how far he’s come.
Another season like 2024—maybe with an MVP trophy or even a Super Bowl ring—and he won’t just climb the rankings. He’ll silence any remaining doubters for good.