The Detroit Lions have a few lingering question marks ahead of the 2025 season, and perhaps the biggest revolves around changes to the coaching staff.
Very rarely does a team have to not only replace both coordinators, but multiple position coaches. Detroit's staff was gutted ahead of 2025, which sets up a scenario of concern about how players will be developed and plays will be called this season.
Unfairly or not, that shifts the microscope firmly to Jared Goff, who developed well under former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Now, Johnson has departed which leaves many wondering if Goff will regress.
Pro Football Focus is still confident in Goff's abilities. John Kosko had him ranked as a tier three quarterback, or a solid starter who has flashed elite play. Still, the question about the impact of Johnson's departure persists.
"Goff has piloted one of the NFL’s most productive offenses over the past two seasons, earning an 84.8 passing grade over that span, the seventh-best in the league. We’ll soon find out how much of that success was tied to Ben Johnson, now the Bears' head coach, but the results speak for themselves: Goff has been a top-10 quarterback over the last two years."
Until Goff has a solid start to the season, questions will swirl about Detroit's offense. If Goff puts up fantastic numbers again, perhaps he will slay the final myth that his talent was only due to Johnson's influence.
Mark Brunell confident in Detroit Lions' offense staying elite because of Goff
From Detroit's perspective, there isn't any reason to worry about Goff in 2025. Why? Detroit's offense retains both the playmakers and the concepts which have made them elite in recent seasons.
Brunell, the Lions quarterback coach, understands the questions about Detroit's offense but knows the quarterback will be bringing the heat this season just as he has in recent years no matter the changes.
"We know what we do well. We know what our quarterback is comfortable with. We know what our players are comfortable with. We had a pretty good offense last year, and while we might tweak a few things, add a few things, take away a few things, it's going to look the same in my opinion. We're just trying to give our playmakers the opportunity to play at a very high level and with our quarterback, we're able to do that."
Lions fans should have confidence in their offense, and the biggest reason is Goff. A successful 2025 season could be his most impressive career accomplishment yet relative to the offseason consternation.
