In 2021, the Lions and Rams stunned the NFL world with a trade that swapped Jared Goff to Detroit and Matthew Stafford to Los Angeles.
Goff found himself at the helm of a team that had struggled to achieve a winning record for three consecutive years, with low expectations following him. However, looking back on the trade now, Goff reflects positively on the experience.
“In hindsight, (being traded to Detroit) was the greatest thing that ever happened to me, for my career and my development as a human,” Goff expressed on the Trading Cards podcast, as reported by the Detroit Free Press.
Despite a challenging start with the Lions, winning only three games in his first season, the team quickly progressed, showing significant improvement in the following two seasons and hinting at a promising future. In 2022, the Lions achieved a 9-8 record and secured second place in the NFC North, coinciding with Goff earning his third Pro Bowl selection. The upward trajectory continued in 2023, with the Lions performing even better.
Contrary to what many may have anticipated upon his arrival in Detroit, Goff was prepared to embrace the challenge that awaited him.
“Being traded away and sent to what many perceived as a hopeless situation is what a lot of people think happened, and I was determined not to let that be the case,” Goff asserted. “I’m grateful to have been surrounded by talented coaches and teammates in Detroit who have supported me and helped me realize my potential.”
In the 2023 season, Detroit Lions concluded with an impressive 12-5 record, clinching the top spot in their division and securing the NFC’s No. 3 seed for the playoffs. During Wild Card Weekend, Goff and the team seized the opportunity to secure the franchise’s first playoff victory in 32 years by defeating his former team, the Los Angeles Rams. But their journey didn’t end there. Subsequently, they triumphed over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Divisional Round before ultimately falling to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. Goff’s individual performance was stellar, throwing for 4,575 yards, 30 touchdowns, and achieving a career-high 67.3 completion percentage throughout the season.
At 29 years old, Goff swiftly emerged as a leader for the Lions’ offense and within the city of Detroit. He acknowledges the impact of his environment on his growth.
“As you mature, you become more confident in expressing yourself,” Goff remarked. “There was a sense of empowerment in Detroit with Dan (Campbell) and many of the coaches and personnel there, who encouraged me to take charge. They conveyed the message, ‘This is your team; take ownership,’ which was not always the case when I was younger.”
As Goff continues to evolve within the system, and as the Lions prepare for another season, only time will reveal if they can advance even further and potentially reach the ultimate goal.