This Sunday marks a unique milestone in Jared Goff’s NFL journey, as he’s set to cross a symbolic threshold in his career.
When Goff takes the field against Cincinnati, it will be his 70th regular-season start in a Detroit Lions uniform. That number is significant because it surpasses the 69 starts he made for the team that drafted him, the Los Angeles Rams. By the end of the game, his professional legacy will lean more toward Detroit than Los Angeles.
During his weekly radio spot on 97.1 The Ticket, Goff learned of the milestone and joked that his Detroit lifestyle is catching up with him, saying, “I wear a lot of Carhartt. That might be part of it.”
But in terms of football identity, there’s no doubt where he stands.
“I’ve really embraced being a Lion,” Goff told reporters on Wednesday. “Looking back, most of my career will be in Detroit, and hopefully that gap keeps growing. It’s been a great ride here, being part of this city and organization, and to reach this point feels special.”
What makes this moment even more fascinating is how closely his Rams and Lions tenures mirror each other. Goff posted a 42-27 record with Los Angeles across 69 starts, a run that began with an 0-7 stretch. In Detroit, he has gone 42-26-1 in the same number of starts, beginning with a rocky 3-10-1 start. With the Rams, he reached the Super Bowl in his third season. In his third season with the Lions, he helped them reach the NFC Championship Game.
The difference is in the trajectory. While his role in Los Angeles eventually diminished and trust waned, in Detroit his coaches believe in him more than ever. Head coach Dan Campbell recently praised his performance:
“He’s playing outstanding football right now. If you’re talking about running the quarterback position, nobody’s doing it better than him.”
The stats prove Campbell’s point. Goff currently boasts career-best numbers: a 73.8% completion rate, a 113.0 passer rating, and an 81.7 QBR — all the highest of his 10 NFL seasons.
As for how much longer Goff expects to play in Detroit, he isn’t putting a timeline on it.
“That’s a big question. I’m in Week 5 right now,” he said with a smile. “Hopefully for a long time. I don’t know exactly how long, but I think a long time.”
