2024 ranking breakdown: quarterbacks.
The good: Quarterback Jared Goff’s performance this season was a major reason the Lions made it to the NFC Championship Game.
Goff ranked fourth in the NFL in passing yards and touchdown passes, and tenth in passer rating. He completed 67.3% of his passes for 4,575 yards, with 30 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a passer rating of 97.9. Best of all, he was dependable, durable, and consistent. He appeared in all 20 games for the Lions this season and did not miss a single snap due to injury.
He trailed only Brock Purdy in 69 completions of 20-plus yards and Baker Mayfield in 20-plus touchdown passes (12).
Goff, 29, is coming from arguably
He had his greatest season as a professional, and with Ben Johnson returning as offensive coordinator in 2024, there’s no reason to believe he won’t improve on that. The Lions and Goff are likely to discuss a contract extension this offseason.Teddy Bridgewater, a veteran quarterback, served as a great sounding board for Goff. Having someone who sees things differently than you and is not afraid to speak up is crucial. Bridgewater also became a mentor to rookie Hendon Hooker, whom the Lions selected in the third round of last year’s NFL draft.
Hooker returned from the non-football injury list late in the year, and coaches and teammates were encouraged with his late-season growth. He enters the offseason ready to focus on his game rather than recovery, and he hopes to be Goff’s primary backup next season.
The bad: There was a brief period in the middle of the season when Goff became a touch casual with the football. He had three interceptions in a Week 11 game against Chicago, which Detroit was fortunate to win. The following week, they were not so fortunate, as Goff’s three fumbles contributed to a Thanksgiving loss to the Packers.
Goff had 12 interceptions in the regular season, which tied for third most in his career, and he also lost four fumbles.
Detroit finished second in touchdowns (16) and seventh in points scored (126) outside the red zone this season. Goff had a 115.1 passer rating on passes of 21 or more yards, with five touchdowns and two interceptions.