There’s no denying it anymore—the Detroit Lions are officially in their Super Bowl window. But while the roster looks primed to make a serious run, one big question still hangs in the air: can Jared Goff really get them there?
After a strong 2024 regular season where Goff put up career-best numbers—37 touchdowns and a QBR of 68.4—the wheels came off in the playoffs. In the shocking divisional-round loss to Washington, Goff was responsible for four of the Lions’ five turnovers, throwing three interceptions and losing a fumble. It was a brutal ending to an otherwise stellar season.
Now, Lions insiders aren’t sugarcoating things. ESPN’s Eric Woodyard called Goff the quarterback with the most to prove in the NFC North, despite rookies like Caleb Williams and J.J. McCarthy entering the mix. And on ESPN’s Get Up, Peter Schrager went even further, calling Goff the most important player in the entire NFC this season.
Why the added pressure? Because Goff’s safety net is gone. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson? Hired away. Veteran center Frank Ragnow? Gone. And yet, Goff’s massive contract extension is just kicking in. With a new OC and a reshuffled offensive line, the pressure is on him to show he can still produce at a high level—and carry this team deep into January.
The message is clear: this season is make-or-break. If Goff struggles and the Lions take a step back, the skeptics will have plenty to say. But if he can rise to the moment, Goff might just silence the critics and deliver Detroit its long-awaited breakthrough.
With Key Coaches and Linemen Gone, Goff Must Prove He Can Lead Lions
