Jared Goff Is Set to Reach an Important Lions Milestone on Sunday
“You’re good enough for (expletive) Detroit, Jared Goff!”
In 2021, when Jared Goff was traded to the Detroit Lions — essentially “sent to die” by the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for quarterback Matthew Stafford — few could have imagined head coach Dan Campbell uttering those words during a locker room celebration. Even fewer could have imagined that celebration coming after Goff led the Lions to their first playoff win in over 30 years, and against Stafford and the Rams no less.
Most fans and analysts viewed Goff as a temporary bridge to the next generation of quarterbacks. But Campbell saw something more. According to ESPN’s recent feature on Campbell, he specifically pushed to acquire Goff in the trade, believing in his potential to lead the team. That belief has paid off in a big way.
When Goff lines up under center for the Lions’ game against the Cleveland Browns this Sunday, it will mark his 69th regular-season game with the team — the exact same number of regular-season games he played for the Rams. That symmetry is more than symbolic; it’s a turning point in Goff’s career.
Sixty-nine games would place Goff third all-time in games started by a quarterback in Lions history, trailing only Bobby Layne (84) and Matthew Stafford (165). But Goff’s impact goes beyond appearances. He currently ranks second in franchise history in passing yards (17,648) and touchdown passes (122). His 41 wins are third overall, and second among Lions quarterbacks with a winning record.
With a win on Sunday, Goff will match his regular-season win total with the Rams. The records are nearly identical: 42–27 with Los Angeles and 41–26–1 with Detroit. He also has two Pro Bowl selections with each franchise. But when comparing his performance with the Lions to his time with the Rams, the difference is striking — Goff has simply been better in Detroit.
Lions Jared Goff vs. Rams Jared Goff
When the Lions acquired Goff, it was clear his time with the Rams had run its course. After two stellar seasons that included a Super Bowl LIII appearance, Goff’s limitations were exposed. New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick credited then-Lions head coach Matt Patricia for developing a defensive formula that exploited the limited communication window between Rams head coach Sean McVay and Goff before the snap.
That exposure strained the relationship between McVay and Goff, and by the end of his tenure in Los Angeles, Goff was considered damaged goods. It was up to Campbell and his staff to rebuild him. That process wasn’t easy — it involved a brutal 4–19–1 start, a change in offensive coordinator, and watching McVay and Stafford lift the Lombardi Trophy after Super Bowl LVI. But Detroit stayed patient. And patience, as Lions fans know better than anyone, can pay off.
Statistically, Goff has already surpassed many of his Rams totals. He needs 524 passing yards on Sunday to eclipse his 18,171-yard mark with Los Angeles — a tall order against Cleveland’s elite defense. But he’s already thrown 15 more touchdowns with the Lions than he did with the Rams. He’s cut down his interceptions from 55 to 40, and his fumbles from 42 to 29. His completion percentage has jumped from 63.4% to 68.3%, and his passer rating has climbed from 91.5 to 101.1.
These improvements extend to the postseason. Goff’s playoff completion rate has risen from 57.4% to 66.2%, and his passer rating from 79.9 to 91.8. He’s matched his Rams playoff win total in one fewer start. That success sparked the now-famous “Ja-red Goff” chants among Lions fans — chants that have echoed across Detroit sports venues, sometimes to the playful annoyance of Pistons, Tigers, and Red Wings supporters.
League-Wide Recognition and What Comes Next
Goff’s resurgence hasn’t gone unnoticed. He finished fifth in MVP voting last season, becoming only the second Lions quarterback to receive MVP votes for a full season and the first to earn Offensive Player of the Year consideration. He was ranked 15th on the NFL Top 100 list in 2025, as voted by his peers. Now, he’s leading a team many believe has a legitimate shot at the Super Bowl. If he wins one, Hall of Fame buzz may not be far behind.
It’s been a storybook turnaround for Goff, who now enters a new phase of his career — one where he’s played more games for the Lions than the Rams, and where his legacy is increasingly defined by his time in Honolulu Blue. The struggles and triumphs of his Rams years are fading into the background, replaced by a new identity: leader of a resurgent franchise.
Goff has already proven he’s “good enough for Detroit.” And when all is said and done, he may go down as the greatest quarterback in Lions history.
Yes — even over the guy hand-picked to replace him in Los Angeles.