Vote for the player who was the Detroit Lions’ Most Valuable Player in 2024.
Our 2024 Detroit Lions awards come to a close with the biggest one of all: Most Valuable Player. This Lions team is not built on the shoulders of one particular player. In fact, their strength lied in their versatility and ability to find heroes at all levels and each facet of the game.
But, alas, we must award the MVP to someone, because I am bound by tradition. Before you cast your ballot, check out our other awards and our staff’s pick for MVP. The winner of the MVP award will be decided by your vote at the bottom of the page.
Previous awards:
- Breakout Player of the Year
- Special Teams Player of the Year
- Rookie of the Year
- Coach of the Year
- Game of the Year
- Pride of Detroit Moment of the Year
- Defensive Player of the Year
- Offensive Player of the Year
- Play of the Year
Detroit Lions 2024 Most Valuable Player
John Whiticar: Jared Goff
Goff was never going to win the NFL MVP award over Josh Allen, but there is a reason why he was on the final ballot: the Lions lived and died by his play. When Goff was hot, so too were the Lions. When he faltered, so too did the Lions. The Lions won 15 games because of how good Goff was on nearly a weekly basis—part of the reason why the Lions lost to the Commanders in the playoff was because of an ill-timed off Goff. I think Jahmyr Gibbs and Penei Sewell were better players in 2024, but I think Goff was more valuable. That’s simply the nature of quarterbacks in the NFL.
Hamza Baccouche: Jared Goff
Jared “Mr. Perfect” Goff. He continues to grow and show command of the pocket and the greater offense. It was so cool to see him use the opportunity against lesser opponents to work on navigating the pocket and even getting comfortable working from outside the pocket. His stats speak for themselves, as does the Lions’ record. He finished fifth in MVP voting, but if he continues his current trajectory it feels like a matter of when, not if, the award goes his way.
Erik Schlitt: Penei Sewell
Sewell is not only the best player on the Lions team but he should be in the conversation as one of the best players in the NFL. A rare player who combines youth, leadership, athleticism, tenacity, an intense desire to win, and dominance at his position, Sewell is the foundation on which the Lions are built. He’s so extremely talented that, despite playing an ineligible position, the Lions constantly found ways to get him into eligible spots and felt supremely confident putting the ball in his hands. There isn’t another player in the NFL like Sewell.
Jeremy Reisman: Jared Goff
Call it game-management or Checkdown Charlie, Jared Goff knew this Lions offense to a tee, and ran it to perfection for the majority of the year. His ability to get to the right play, find the right receiver, and get the ball out with a strong and accurate pass may not seem all that flashy, but it’s something around 80% of NFL quarterbacks aren’t capable of doing at the consistency Goff can. He also improved this year when it came to managing the pocket, creating some extra time, and delivering on some deep shots. In Year 9 to set personal records in touchdowns, yards per attempt, passer rating, and QBR is no small accomplishment.
Ty Schalter: Jared Goff
Lamar Jackson put up space-alien numbers, and Josh Allen dragged a rebuilding Bills team to the AFC Championship Game. But Goff had, arguably, the second-best season of any player in the NFL this year—and his offense was better, and his team was better, than the units led by the guy who won the league-wide MVP. But without Goff playing the way he did, the Lions would probably have been closer to 1-15 than 15-1.
Al Karsten: Jahmyr Gibbs
While Jahmyr Gibbs’ talent was undeniable and expectations for his second season were sky-high, the results he delivered were beyond anything imagined before the season. Gibbs elevated his game in his second year, becoming the catalyst of the offense after David Montgomery went down with an injury in Week 15.
Gibbs demonstrated an undeniable nose for the end zone, highlighted by his four-touchdown performance in the season finale, and led the league with 20 touchdowns on the year. He also recorded 1,929 yards from scrimmage (third), 5.6 yards per carry (third), 41 runs of 10+ yards (third), and a league-leading +0.12 EPA/rush.
Everything Gibbs showcased in 2024 further justified his lofty first-round draft selection, firmly establishing himself as the most valuable player on the league’s top-ranked offense.
Max Gerber: Jared Goff
Ja-red Goff! Ja-red Goff! The man whose name can still be heard echoing throughout the state of Michigan is the clear MVP for the Lions this season. While I don’t like giving credit to quarterbacks for all of a team’s successes, Goff put together the best season of his career while completing over 70 percent of his passes and throwing 12 interceptions (granted, five of those came in one game). Despite all of the injuries and setbacks that this team faced, Goff was able to helm the league’s top offenses in 2024 (first in points per game, second in passing yards per game).
Morgan Cannon: Jared Goff
I hate that I am conforming to this notion that “Most valuable” awards default to the quarterback position, but what Goff did in 2024 was pretty special. Over 4,600 yards, 37 touchdowns, and two 1,000-yard receivers in Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Goff was the most indispensable player on a Lions offense that was arguably the best in football.
Brandon Knapp: Jared Goff
This offense wouldn’t be as successful without Jared Goff playing under center. Sure he isn’t the scrambling type of quarterback people want, but what amazes me is when he faces the pressure, it brings the best out of him. Blitzing a QB usually leads to turnovers, but with Goff it almost gave him an advantage because he knew if there was extra pressure coming, someone would be able to get open easier and quicker.
Meko Scott: Jared Goff
If the NFL can have different offensive players win OPOY and MVP, then so can I! But in all seriousness, Jared Goff was absolutely incredible this season and continues to prove why the Lions traded for him, extended him a new deal, and—most importantly—trusted him to lead this team. If not for a few hiccups this season, Goff would have had a very good chance of winning the league MVP award, but even still he’s impressed me beyond belief and I couldn’t be happier to have as the leader of this team.