Lions GM Brad Holmes call Jared Goff extension a ‘high priority’

Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes says Lions QB Jared Goff has “earned” an extension and a deal is currently a “high priority.”

Around the NFL Draft, there were reports that no extension for Jared Goff was imminent with the Detroit Lions. However, in a recent interview with 97.1 The Ticket, Lions general manager Brad Holmes noted that it’s something they’re focused on and hopeful will get done this offseason.

“He’s earned an extension,” Holmes said. “It’s important, it’s a high priority for us. Both sides are working really, really hard. These things just take time.”

Two weeks ago, the Lions gave offensive tackle Penei Sewell and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown massive extensions to tie them up for the future. Holmes admitted he would’ve liked to include Goff in that timeframe, but things are a little more complicated with quarterback contracts.

“In a perfect world, we would’ve had all three of them done. Bang, bang, bang,” Holmes said. “But these things just kind of take a while, especially with the quarterback market, but I do have faith that it’s gonna get done.”

When asked what specifically about a quarterback contract makes it more difficult, Holmes didn’t give a direct answer but did note that they have to take current and future cap hits into consideration.

“There’s some uniqueness there in some different areas, but still, he’s performed at a high level. You look at what the results have been, and we still feel good about where he’s at,” Holmes said. “He’s not one of the guys that was recently drafted and all that stuff. But that’s even better because we even have more of a body of work to examine and analyze.

“All those things, you look at all of it. But, again, we’ve done a lot of work—again, both sides have—we’ve done a lot of work, dialogue’s been consistent. There hasn’t been just dead periods and all that stuff. We’ve been talking, and again, I do have faith through, looking at all the numbers. You gotta think about what can we do now, and what are the impacts on the future, as well. And we look at all of it, because we said all along, when Dan and I first got here, we’re looking to build sustained success, and that’s still the goal.”

Goff is entering the final year of his contract where he averaged $33.5 million per year and is set to cost Detroit $32.3 million against the cap—the ninth-highest cap hit among all NFL quarterbacks for the 2024 season. However, recent quarterback contracts have elevated to an average of upwards of $55 million a year (Joe Burrow), with others making just below that figure (Justin Herbert: $52.5 million, Lamar Jackson: $52 million, Jalen Hurts $51 million).

It’s unclear how close Goff and the Lions are to an agreement, but it’s quite clear Detroit wants to get a deal done and is optimistic it’ll happen.