Jared Goff Career profile

“You’re good enough for Detroit” - Dan Campbell said this to Jared Goff after the Lions won their first playoff game since 1991 this past postseason.

If you haven’t kept up with Goff’s story over his career, the weight of this quote can go over your head. But to understand it, we first need to see how he got there.

Jared Goff was a solid prospect coming out of high school being ranked #41 in the nation, mainly for his efficiency when throwing the ball. He would get offers from schools like Boise State, Washington and Fresno State but ultimately decided to go to Cal Berkeley for his college career.

With the Golden Bears he would set the PAC-12 record for both passing yards and touchdowns, which would garner a big enough reputation to earn him the #1 overall draft pick by the LA Rams in 2016.

Goff would have a decent rookie year but really took off in his sophomore season, solidifying himself as a top QB in the league on a promising team.

In 2019, everything came together and the Rams made it all the way to the Superbowl. Unfortunately, they fell short to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots 3-13

After not seeing nearly the same success the following two seasons, the Rams would make a blockbuster trade to send Goff to the Detroit Lions in exchange for Matthew Stafford.

Many believed Goff had peaked and that he was doomed to fade into obscurity on a Detroit team that seemed to be stuck in an eternal limbo.

However, just two months before the trade, the Lions hired head coach Dan Campbell who swore he would change the path of the franchise and after acquiring Goff, began what many have already described as the best rebuild in modern football.

As the last 3 seasons went by, the Lions, and Goff, improved steadily and this spring made it to the playoffs where they would win a playoff game for the first time in over three decades, even making it to the NFC championship before falling to the 49ers 31-34.

Goff this season is within the top 10 of passing yards, and top 5 among yards per attempt, completion %, 40+ yard passes, 1st down % and more among starting QBs. He also has a receiving TD as a bonus.

This year, the Lions are 12-1, on pace to have their best record in franchise history and are the favorite to win it all. If they do, Goff and the Lions will have completed the greatest comeback story in the history of the NFL.

A word to anyone who’s team will not be in the playoffs this year: when you’re picking the team you want to win this postseason, show some love to the Detroit Lions.

Chris Vadnais is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email cmv5562@psu.edu.