Suffice to say, Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions are a team with a rather uncertain future. Provided that the Green Bay Packers are in the same division as them as well, the Lions certainly have their work cut out for them moving forward.
Detroit does have some new faces leading the way as far as the upcoming campaign. Dan Campbell is their new head coach, whereas Brad Holmes is the squad’s new general manager. Both pieces will be instrumental in terms of turning the franchise’s fortunes around.
However, the additions of Campbell and Holmes are merely part of the reason why Detroit’s future is unknown. For those who have been living under a rock, the Lions also possess a new quarterback.
Back in late-January, the Lions sent longtime franchise cornerstone Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for QB Jared Goff and several draft picks. As a result, the Lions will be starting anew at the quarterback position for the first time in a dozen years.
The questions revolving around Goff are aplenty, to say the least. Granted Goff catapulted the Rams to the Super Bowl a few seasons back, his last couple seasons have not been commensurate with his Super Bowl run. Consequently, it sheds light on why Los Angeles opted to trade the highly paid Goff.
Unfortunately for Goff, he is not exactly going into a better situation than the one he has been in the last five seasons. On that note, here are three early predictions for the former Ram headed into the autumn.
3. Jared Goff Will Post A Career High In Interceptions
The highest amount of interceptions Goff has ever thrown came in the 2019 campaign when he had 16. While that tally dipped a tad in 2020 down to 13, do not expect the same trend going into 2021.
While with the Rams, Goff generally depended on quick receivers in order to accrue any sort of success. On the other hand, if that game plan was not panning out, it is reasonable to say Goff was not his best self.
The Lions desperately need to address their wide receiver situation. It is an undeniable hole that needs to be filled.
Because of the Lions’ shortage in this realm, one can conclude more pressure will be on Goff to make things happen. The added element of pressure will cause the 26-year-old to make more goofs than he ever has in his NFL career.
2. Goff Will Get Sacked At Least 30 Times
On the grounds that Goff is no longer in the City of Angels, he will no longer have a top-ranked defense to right the ship when the going gets rough. The Lions’ “D” is not all too comparable, and precisely the same goes for their offensive line.
Speaking of which, their offensive line could really use a boost. Stafford was sacked 38 times last year, and a total 40 times during the span of the 2018 campaign.
Unless the Lions can boast a solid offensive line that can protect their QB, Goff is bound to be in a dilly of a pickle. Although he got sacked just 23 times in 2020, it is fair to conjecture that he will get sacked at least 30 times in the forthcoming season.
1. The Lions’ New QB Is The Future… For Now
Over the last couple seasons, Jared Goff’s numbers have not been as appealing as they were during the Rams’ Super Bowl run. The above-mentioned projections suggest that the future may not be that much brighter for him.
However, there are some positives to be mindful of as far as Goff is concerned. Unlike the guy Detroit traded to L.A., Goff has a Super Bowl appearance. That is nothing to frown upon, and the five-year veteran remains on the younger side of the spectrum.
Moreover, it is worth pointing out one positive statistic from Goff’s 2020 season. He posted the highest completion percentage of his career at 67.0 percent. Thus, it is not to say the quarterback is in this absolute state of decline.
Last but not least, it is worth pointing out that playing elsewhere could be of benefit to Goff. The field general was previously in a system often criticized for being too conservative in nature. That is no longer a worry for the QB, and all he can hope for is that the Lions surround him with some extra firepower.
