Among all Detroit Lions quarterbacks in history, where does Jared Goff rank?
Over the past week or so, I’ve tried to put the Detroit Lions ’ current roster in historical context. We’ve looked at where players like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, and Jahmyr Gibbs rank in franchise history. In part, I’ve been doing this because I think it’s a fun exercise—as hard as it may be to to compare players from vastly different historical eras. However, my primary goal in these articles is to display just how incredible the talent on this team is. We’re talking about a handful of players who are in the conversation of top-three Lions player of all time at their respective position.
And for quarterback Jared Goff, he’s is likely already qualified to join the group.
Today’s Question of the Day is:
Where does Jared Goff rank among all-time Detroit Lions quarterbacks?
My answer: Let’s look at some key stats first, and where they rank in Lions history.
(Note: these are only Goff’s stats as a Detroit Lion. His production with the Rams is not included.)
Jared Goff
- 16,887 yards — 2nd (Matthew Stafford first)
- 115 passing TDs — 3rd (Stafford, Bobby Layne)
- 67.9 completion percentage — 1st
- 100.2 passer rating — 1st
- 39 wins — 4th (Stafford, Layne, Greg Landry)
- 2 playoff wins — 2nd (Layne)
- 12 game-winning drives — 2nd (Stafford)
- 2 Pro Bowl s — 2nd (Layne)
This is where things get tricky. Statistically, Goff is already a top-three quarterback in Lions history, but that is largely because it is now a passing league compared to previous eras of football.
Still, throughout the 80s, 90s, and 00s, as passing was becoming more prolific, the Lions didn’t have any quarterback who lasted very long. Even a guy like Scott Mitchell, who once led the top offense in the league, only started 57 games for the Lions, lost more than half of those games, and only threw for over 3,000 yards twice. He never made a Pro Bowl (though he was undeniably snubbed in 1995), and was pretty awful in his two playoff games (22-of-54 for 233 yards, 1 TD, 5 INTs).
In any era of football, the Lions have only had four Pro Bowl quarterbacks and a single (Layne) All-Pro.
So, to be quite honest, I think it’s extremely fair to call Goff the third-best quarterback in franchise history, and if you’re the “quarterback wins” type, you could possibly make an argument for No. 2.
Statistically, he’s still way behind Stafford merely because he’s played exactly 100 fewer games. And in terms of team accomplishments, no one is close to touching Bobby Layne. But considering Goff managed to get the Lions as close to the Super Bowl as anyone, I get the feeling there will be a heated future debate between Goff vs. Stafford. Personally, I still give the edge to Stafford, but if Goff can continue his current level of play for another four or five years? It’s going to be close.
Where would you place Goff among all-time Lions quarterbacks? Vote in the poll below and share your reasoning in the comment section.