Jared Goff had a payback year in his second season with the Detroit Lions and nearly led the team to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes gave Goff a big vote of confidence when he spoke to reporters Tuesday.
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Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff celebrates after the Packers game on Sunday, January 8, 2023, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
(AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
«I think it’s a lot easier to get worse at quarterback than it is to get better at quarterback in this league,» Holmes said, via NFL.com. «I think what Jared has done this year, he captained the ship of a top-three offense and I mean he was in the top 10 statistically in most passing categories.
«And again, you know how we approach the draft, we’re never going to turn down a good football player. So if it’s a football player that we really love, I mean, we’ll make sure every stone hasn’t turned, but I do think Jared has shown everyone that he’s a starting quarterback for us.»
Goff’s cap number could be a budget problem for the Lions through 2023. He is expected to make about $30.6 million if he makes Detroit’s roster next season, according to Spotrac. He has potential outside after he officially wraps up the 2022 season. He also has a $5 million roster bonus next season.
Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions passes against the Packers at Lambeau Field on January 8, 2023 in Green Bay.
(Patricio McDermott/Getty Images)
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With a 9-8 record, Detroit will have the 18th pick in the draft. The Lions could potentially lower Goff’s salary cap and select a quarterback in the first round. However, the Lions ranked 28th in points allowed and 32nd in yards allowed.
«I think it has a lot of merit and there’s a lot of evidence behind it,» Holmes added. «You can see countless examples of guys who were drafted high. Obviously, Patrick Mahomes comes right away trading, taking him high and sitting down. Then the guy we just played on Aaron Rodgers, you know. So, there’s a lot of evidence in the pudding at the take that approach, and I don’t see anything wrong with it.
Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions looks to pass against the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
(Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
«It’s a premium position, they don’t grow on trees, they’re really hard to find. Like I said before, it’s easy to get worse at that position than better at that position because there are so few of them.» But I’m not at all against that first draft, let it sit and build philosophy, and just see what you get along the way.»
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Goff had 4,438 passing yards and 29 touchdown passes in 2022. It was the second most touchdown passes he had in his career. The Lions were fifth in points scored and fourth in yards gained in 2022.
