The countdown is nearly over for the Detroit Lions, who are preparing to open their 2025 regular season against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on Sunday, September 7, with kickoff scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET. Coming off back-to-back strong campaigns, Detroit enters this season with perhaps the highest expectations the franchise has faced in decades.
Many analysts project the Lions to be among the NFL’s most dominant squads for the 2025-26 season. At the center of it all is quarterback Jared Goff, who set new benchmarks last year and continues to carry enormous expectations as the leader of Detroit’s offense.
Last season ended in disappointment when the Lions were upset by the Washington Commanders in the playoffs. Goff struggled in that matchup, a performance that has likely fueled his determination to rebound this fall. Still, the quarterback is making headlines for a far more positive reason as the new season approaches.
Jared Goff Makes NFL History
For the first time since Matthew Stafford in 2017 and 2018, a Lions quarterback has been recognized in the NFL Top 100 Players list. Stafford peaked at No. 31 during his Detroit tenure, but Goff has raised the bar even higher — debuting at an impressive No. 15 overall.
NFL writer Coral Smith highlighted Goff’s turnaround of the franchise in an August 25 feature:
“The Lions have gone from perennial bottom-dwellers to legitimate Super Bowl contenders in just a few years, and Goff’s presence has been instrumental. In his ninth NFL season, he ranked among the top five quarterbacks in completion rate, passing yards, and touchdown passes.”
Smith also credited Goff with directing the league’s top-ranked offense in 2024, setting a franchise-best 15 wins while clinching a second consecutive NFC North title. While the Lions still need to prove they can reach the Super Bowl — especially after losing coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn — Smith emphasized that Goff remains an elite quarterback approaching his 10th season.
Amon-Ra St. Brown Joins Goff in Top 20
Goff wasn’t the only Lion to gain national recognition. Star wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown landed at No. 20 on the list, reflecting his dominance in the passing game.
Smith praised St. Brown’s production, noting that he nearly doubled the receptions of any other Detroit receiver. He finished top-five league-wide in catches, yards, and touchdowns, while securing his third Pro Bowl nod and second First-Team All-Pro selection.
A New Era in Detroit
Having two players ranked in the NFL’s top 20 is a rare achievement for Detroit — something fans didn’t see even during the 1990s outside of Barry Sanders. With both Goff and St. Brown at the peak of their careers, the Lions look more prepared than ever to chase a Super Bowl run in 2025.
