When Matthew Stafford was swapped for Jared Goff, few believed the move would deliver an MVP-caliber resurgence in Los Angeles. But even at 37, Stafford beat those odds. Could the trade now come full circle with Goff emerging as a surprise MVP contender in 2026?

Mike Payton of A to Z Sports recently uploaded a video discussing the chances of the Lions'QB winning the MVP in 2026.

"I know people are going to think I'm crazy for this one, but I'm just going to go ahead and say it, I think Jared Goff can win the MVP in 2026," the Lions Beat Writer said. "Goff was an MVP candidate in 2024, got votes and everything. It was real. It wasn't something that we all imagined. He really had a chance to win the NFL MVP. "

In 2024, Goff had a passer rating of 111.8, throwing for 4,629 yards and 37 touchdowns, appearing in all 17 games. The Lions QB set franchise records in completion percentage (72.4%) and passer rating, and led the team to a 15-2 record and the NFC’s #1 seed, but finished a little short of the MVP dream.

The now 31-year-old finished 5th overall in MVP voting with 5 fourth-place votes and 19 fifth-place votes totaling 47 points. But last year saw a gradual decline in these stats, as Payton addressed how the O-line failed the QB.

"In 2025, had a bad offensive line, things didn't go as well, new offensive coordinator. It just didn't work out," Payton further added.

Goff took 38 sacks that season (seven more than in 2024), 8th most of the season, and soon after it was over, OC John Morton was fired.

"But he still wound up finishing like top five and basically every category you want your quarterback to finish top five, and he still put forth a hell of a season," Payton added.

Even in a turbulent season wherein the head coach took offensive calling duties upon himself mid-way, Jared Goff managed a passer rating of 105.5 with the second-most numbers with 4,564 yards and 34 touchdowns. This is perhaps why Mike Payton thinks that with a better team in 2026, Goff will be an MVP.

Jared Goff Has Better Weapons In 2026 to Lead Him to an MVP Award

The 2025 season was not that great for the Detroit Lions or Jared Goff, as they finished at the bottom of the NFC North despite a winning 9-8 record. For Mike Payton, next year could look a lot different.

"In 2026, he theoretically has a better tackle situation, a healthier tackle situation," The Lions beat journalist added. We don't know where that's going to be, Larry Borom or somebody from the draft. "

Focus then shifted to Penei Sewell and Tate Ratledge on the offensive line, with the NFL's top prospect, Francis Mauigoa, linked to the franchise as well.

Mike Payton then pointed out Goff's offensive options, such as Amon-Ra St. Brown, Tyler Conklin, Jahmyr Gibbs, and new signing Isiah Pacheco.

"There is just so much that Jared Goff could do with this ball...and because of that, I think he's going to be in the MVP category again," Payton concluded.

Brown has 1,000 receiving yards in every season since his rookie year in the NFL, thus far. Then there is Gibbs, who has evolved into one of the best RBs currently active in the NFL. He became the only player in Lions history to post 1,900+ scrimmage yards and 20+ touchdowns in a single season in 2024.

The latest addition, Isiah Pacheco, is a Super Bowl Winner (with the Kansas City Chiefs) and fits perfectly into the kinds of play Dan Campbell wants. But the question remains: with this roster, could Jared Goff win the MVP award?

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Written by

Reyansh Dubey

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote