Lions’ Jared Goff Gets Major Backing Amid Growing Criticism
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) practices a drill during OTAs at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Friday, May 29, 2026.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) practices a drill during OTAs at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Friday, May 29, 2026.
For all the criticism directed at Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, especially this offseason, the numbers continue to paint a very different picture. In fact, a recent comparison of the last eight Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks shows that Goff is already producing at a championship-level caliber.
Mike Payton of AtoZ Sports compared all 8 quarterbacks and their Super Bowl-winning campaigns to Goff’s last season. After calculating the average of all the other 8 quarterbacks and Goff’s, there was not much of a difference.
According to Payton, Goff would have to have 4,541 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, 11 interceptions on 66.5% pass completion rate. Goff would also need to have a passer rating of 100.1 with 5 fumbles and 26 sacks.
Goff in 2025 had 4,564 passing yards, 34 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, with a pass completion rate of 68%. He also had a passer rating of 105.5 with 6 fumbles and 38 sacks.
Dec 14, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) is seen during warmups prior to the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Dec 14, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) is seen during warmups prior to the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
From Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes to Matthew Stafford and Jalen Hurts, the production needed from a title-winning quarterback is surprisingly close to what Goff has delivered consistently over the last few seasons.
With this comparison, it is visible that Goff is producing at an elite level. However, there is one stat that is still of a big concern.
The average Super Bowl-winning quarterback absorbed 26 sacks per season. Meanwhile, defenders took down Goff 38 times last season. However, 22 of those sacks came in the first five games.
So then what does Goff have to do for the Lions to win?
Goff Needs To Be Goff
Critics have questioned Goff's ability since he joined the Lions in 2021. Still, he was able to lead them to the Conference Championship Game in 2023 and become the first seed in 2024. Yet, criticism of Goff continues, but according to Mike Payton, Goff does not have to change anything.
Payton wrote, “All Goff needs to do is be Jared Goff and just do what he’s done the last four seasons in a row.”
Lions have an improved offensive line, a new offensive coordinator, and will be giving more of the ball to their Pro-Bowl running back, Jahmyr Gibbs. Due to this, expectations will be sky high for Goff and the Lions.
Do you think there’s anything else that Goff has to do for the Lions to win the Super Bowl? Let us know in the comments!
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Written by
Dhruv Vishnu Nair
Edited by
Zaid Quraishi