The Detroit Lions enter the 2026 season with the belief that they could snap back from last year's disappointing 9-8 record and reestablish themselves as NFC contenders. But a recent analysis of Jared Goff creates concerns for the head coach, Dan Campbell, and the franchise.

CBS Sports reporter Tyler Sullivan suggests Detroit could be headed towards another difficult season if they don't pay attention to key issues. The main concern is about Goff, whose performance is important to Detroit's hopes of being in Super Bowl contention.

"Jared Goff starts to look like a quarterback entering the latter stages of his career, and the hiring of offensive coordinator Drew Petzing doesn't result in any substantial improvements," Sullivan analyzed as a possible worst-case scenario.

Soon to turn 32, Sullivan believes that his age might just begin to show this year.

"The defense again ranks in the bottom half of the league in key categories, and the Lions miss the playoffs for the second straight year, begging the question of whether their window has closed entirely," the CBS report further stated.

The question also pointed to the new offensive coordinator, Drew Petzing, who can lift the unit or maintain the standards that are set by previous coaching staffs when the Lions finished with a 9-8 record last season at the bottom of their division.

Goff has been one of the primary catalysts behind Detroit's revival. Campbell has always backed Goff, even after a frustrating 2025 season. After all, the veteran did finish a fourth consecutive year with over 4,000 passing yards.

Goff also delivered one of the most efficient passing seasons in league history, setting records for the most games with at least a 75% completion rate in a season and the most games above 80% completion percentage.

More importantly, the quarterback helped guide Detroit to its first playoff victory in over 30 years before leading the Lions all the way to the NFC Championship Game.

The Lions still have in-form talent, including offensive stars like Jahmyr Gibbs (RB), Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR), and defensive star Aidan Hutchinson entering 2026. With a performing Goff, they could be Super Bowl candidates. Hence, the concern for the HC is if he doesn't do well.

The pressure is now on Campbell and the coaching staff to prove the prediction wrong. Sullivan also wrote about the best-case scenario for the Lions

CBS Sports predicts a massive Lions bounce back with Jahmyr Gibbs' rise

In the same CBS Sports report, Tyler Sullivan laid out a path where Dan Campbell's Lions could legitimately emerge as one of the NFL's elite teams.

However, the scenario largely depends on Detroit's secondary taking a major leap while Jahmyr Gibbs explodes into one of the league's most dominant offensive weapons this season.

"After a down year in 2025, the Lions get right back into the thick of the Super Bowl conversation," wrote Tyler Sullivan. "The secondary returns healthy after an injury-riddled campaign, while the offense hums with Jahmyr Gibbs playing at an Offensive Player of the Year level. Detroit reclaims the NFC North, winning the division for the third time in four seasons."

Last year, the Lions' defense was affected by injury, especially the secondary, such as injuries to Terrion Arnold and DJ Reed. A healthy unit would give Detroit a much-needed boost.

Moreover, if Gibbs reaches that level and defensive rebounds, Detroit could reclaim the NFC North.

What are your views on Jared Goff? Let us know in the comments!

Read more at the Detroit Lions Community!

Written by

Hetal Moleshri

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote