The Detroit Lions are one of the hottest topics in the NFL right now for a variety of reasons. For one, they’re one of the few teams in the NFL who lost two key staffers at the same time during the offseason. The team said farewell to offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn after the Lions’ triumphant 2024 season, as well as some assistant coaches, so all eyes are on the Motor City to see what they can do without these important guys in the fold.
Now, one NFL analyst is commenting on the Lions and even goes so far to say they have one key player is is the most important in the NFC North.
A Detroit Lions Star is in the Spotlight
During the Monday, January 16 edition of “Get Up” hosted by Mike Greenberg, NFL analyst Peter Schrager talked about the importance of Jared Goff to the Detroit Lions.
“I think Jared Goff is the single most important player in the NFC this season,” Schrager said. That’s quite a statement.
“There has been a raid of his coaching staff from the last several years, six different coaches gone including Ben Johnson, and now you’re telling me that Frank Ragnow, his longtime center, in addition to other members of the offensive line, are no longer there as well?” he added.
He also talked about Goff’s career arc, stating, “it went from success right away with McVay, then to be discarded and then to show that, ‘No, no no, I can still play in this game.’ Pro Bowls, the whole deal. Last year, they came up short in the playoffs.”
He added, “And now, you’re taking so many coaches from that team. And now you’ve got to say, ‘Hey, we pay you big money.’ Jared Goff, are we gonna be the same team or are we gonna take a massive step back? Because if he is one of those top quarterbacks, they should still be the best team in the NFC North this year.”
More Talk About Jared Goff
In a June 16 feature for ESPN, a panel discussed the upcoming season, and Lions beat reporter Eric Woodyard put Goff in the hot seat as a player with something to prove.
After an incredible 2024 regular season, “during which he reached career highs in touchdowns (37) and QBR (68.4) — it all ended in disappointment with a stunning upset loss to the Washington Commanders in the NFC divisional round,” he notes. “Goff accounted for four of the team’s five turnovers in that game, including three interceptions and a lost fumble.”
So, Woodyard asks, “Can Goff help the team win a Super Bowl? He has yet to prove that despite all of his individual success.”
These guys aren’t alone. In a June 16 piece for SideLion Report, NFL expert Brad Berreman also talked about the pressure on Goff, stating, “With a new offensive coordinator and especially now without center Frank Ragnow, Goff has to prove he can still perform at a high level despite greatly altered circumstances this year. Until he shows he can, the questions (and skepticism, from some corners) will be automatic. If he doesn’t perform well and the Lions have a disappointing 2025 season, the skeptics will be proven right.”
