Massive Contract Extension For Jared Goff Settles Debate Whether Lions Think He's Good
Jared Goff once led the Los Angeles Rams to the Super Bowl and last season led the Detroit Lions to the NFC Championship Game. But amid that success there were questions, probably legitimate ones, about whether he's a franchise quarterback.
The Lions have just shown they have no doubts.
The Lions and Goff agreed to a massive $212 million contract extension that runs four seasons, OutKick has confirmed.
ESPN was first to report the deal that runs through the 2027 season and then has an option year for 2028.
Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK)
Joe Burrow Still NFL's Highest Paid After Jared Goff Deal
No, the deal doesn't eclipse the $55 million per season Joe Burrow got from the Cincinnati Bengals last season. But the $53 million per season on an annual average does make Goff the second-highest paid quarterback in the NFL.
The deal also includes $170 million in guaranteed money. That's the sixth-most in guaranteed money any quarterback has ever gotten on a contract.
Not bad for a quarterback the Los Angeles Rams traded in March of 2021 after coach Sean McVay became convinced he needed to upgrade to Matthew Stafford in a trade to keep competing for a Super Bowl championship.
And, yes, Goff has come a long way since his early days in Detroit included some criticism from coach Dan Campbell.
That seemingly long ago sentiment had the coach wanting more production from Goff and also voicing some uncertainty about what kind of player Goff could become.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 14: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions celebrates after the team scored a touchdown during an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field on January 14, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)
Jared Goff Has Gotten Better
Goff, 29, has become a pretty good player – certainly a better one than played for the Rams.
Goff has a 96.5 quarterback rating in his three seasons with the Lions. That's better than the 91.5 rating he managed in five years with the Rams.
After something of a struggle that first Detroit season in '21, Goff has been at or near 30 touchdown passes per season in each of the last two campaigns.
The Lions expect that to continue, as Goff has become something of a hero in Detroit.
Jared Goff Beloved In Detroit
This move will be well received in Motown. At the NFL draft, which Detroit hosted, the record crowd gathered for the even broke out in Goff chants as the Lions were on the clock.
It's pretty obvious everyone will approve that Goff, who was scheduled to enter the final year of his contract, remains and now has a chance to complete a job he started.
The job? Get the Lions their first Super Bowl win.
The team made it to the NFC title game last year before losing to the San Francisco 49ers. The team has now taken significant steps in getting back to that game and beyond.
The Lions this offseason have been investing in their future. The signed All-Pro offensive tackle Penei Sewell to a four-year, $112 million extension. Then they signed top wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown to a four-year extension worth $120 million.
And now they've spent almost as much in total on locking up Goff for the foreseeable future.
The next step for Goff and all the high-priced talent is getting the Lions that Super Bowl win.