Lions quarterback Jared Goff embraced helping steer the forever underdog Detroit franchise out of the doldrums and deep into the playoffs last season.
But the future isn’t certain for Goff, who has one year remaining on the four-year, $134 million contract extension he signed with the Los Angeles Rams in 2109. Goff is due $27.3 million in 2024.
“I love it here and I want to be here a long time,” Goff said Tuesday during media availability at voluntary offseason workouts. “It’s been really special playing in front of these fans. Being able to provide a winning culture over the last year and a half or so. See them experience that and be a part of that has been fun, but by no means are we satisfied.”
Goff recorded a career-best 67.3 completion percentage and threw for 4,575 yards (No. 2 in the NFL) with 30 touchdowns (fourth in the league) and 12 interceptions this season. He is knocking on the door of making his second Super Bowl appearance, with his first coming with the Los Angeles Rams in a 13-3 loss to the New England Patriots on Feb. 3, 2019.
While he’s reached cult status in Detroit, Goff didn’t disclose the context of contractual negotiations he said are taking place with the Lions’ front office. Barring injury or a shocking transaction this month, Goff knows he’ll have at least one more season with the Lions.
“I’ve had a ton of fun winning in this city, winning for these fans,” Goff said.
Goff spent five seasons with the Rams after they made him top overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, then was traded to Detroit as part of a deal that involved fellow quarterback Matthew Stafford on March 18, 2021.
Head coach Dan Campbell defended Goff and the perception he wasn’t the quality of quarterback capable of winning the Super Bowl, especially from fans pinning the NFC Championship game loss to the 49ers in January on the quarterback. The Lions coughed up a three-score lead and became the first team to lose a conference championship after leading by 17-plus points at halftime (previously 21-0).
Campbell said this offseason he wanted Goff and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown to be “priority” when it comes to contract extensions.
“Those are certainly priorities,” he said last month.
Goff turns 30 in October and could be a measuring stick used for other contract negotiations, including the case of Cowboys soon-to-be-free-agent Dak Prescott. He’s in the final year of a four-year, $160 million deal in Dallas.
–Field Level Media
