The Detroit Lions’ season officially came to a painful end, and quarterback Jared Goff didn’t try to sugarcoat it.
After Detroit’s playoff hopes were extinguished, Goff spoke with a level of honesty that reflected the frustration felt across the fanbase. This wasn’t just another loss — it was the moment the season slipped away, and Goff made it clear the locker room knows it.
“This one hurts,” Goff admitted, acknowledging that the expectations were much higher this year. The Lions entered the season believing they were ready to take the next step, but costly turnovers, defensive breakdowns, and inconsistency ultimately derailed those plans. Goff didn’t deflect blame or point fingers — instead, he owned the disappointment.
The veteran quarterback emphasized that the team simply didn’t do enough when it mattered most. In critical games down the stretch, Detroit failed to execute at a playoff level, and Goff acknowledged that starts with him. For a franchise still trying to establish sustained success, that admission carries weight.
What makes Goff’s comments resonate is how closely they align with the fans’ emotions. This wasn’t a rebuilding year. This was supposed to be the payoff. Instead, the Lions are heading into the offseason with more questions than answers — especially on defense and in key late-game situations.
Despite the disappointment, Goff also made it clear this loss will linger. He spoke about using the pain as motivation, suggesting that anything less than learning from this collapse would be unacceptable. Whether that message translates into real progress next season remains to be seen.
For now, though, the reality is unavoidable. The Lions are done, the playoffs are moving on without them, and Jared Goff is left reflecting on what could have been — just like everyone else in Detroit.
“We Failed”: Jared Goff’s Brutally Honest Take After Lions Are Eliminated
