While NFL analysts aren't all the way there yet in terms of showing some respect for Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, there's no doubt things have been a bit better overall this offseason.
However, Scott Kacsmar of 365Scores.com reminds us that we still have a ways to go. In his recent rankings of NFL quarterbacks, Kacsmar put Goff at No. 13 and in the "Used Goods" tier.
While he was complimentary of the Lions signal-caller, that ranking is still too low. Here's what Kacsmar wrote on Goff:
You might owe Jared Goff an apology if you thought he was just a footnote in the 2021 trade involving Matthew Stafford and the Rams. Goff has led a top-tier offense the last two years, and he had the Detroit Lions of all teams a drive away from reaching the Super Bowl. He probably would get there if Josh Reynolds didn’t have two horrendous drops in the second half of that blown lead in San Francisco. It also would have helped if the Lions had anything close to a respectable defense.
Goff is living the good life with a new contract, he got married, and the Lions are still slight favorites to repeat as NFC North champions. He’s not just a product of Sean McVay’s offense.
Sure, he still scares you when he turns into a turnover machine like he did in losses to the Bears and Packers, but you can win games with Goff.
Now, that isn't a terrible ranking, but as we've stated ad nauseam this offseason, Goff has put together two impressive years in a row with the Lions that should have him in the top 10.
Since 2022, Goff has led an elite offense and ranks second in passing yards, third in passing touchdowns and 10th in completion percentage. Further, he was ranked as one of the most clutch quarterbacks in 2023, and he earned Pro Bowl honors in 2022. He also has the most playoff wins of any NFC quarterback since he entered the league in 2016.
Despite all that, we've routinely seen him underrated in rankings. Perhaps another big season in 2024 will be enough to finally put him over the top, but we won't hold our breath for that.
