Dan Campbell isn’t interested in treating Jared Goff like just another quarterback in the league. The Detroit Lions coach made it clear that he thinks the veteran deserves far more credit than he gets, especially for the way he runs the offense and handles the pressure that comes with it.
Campbell spoke to Sports Illustrated and laid out exactly why he views Goff as such a unique player. He pointed to Goff’s size, toughness, intelligence, and the speed of his processing, even drawing a comparison to Drew Brees.
“Look at the guy. First of all, he can see, he’s big, he’s tall, he’s tough, he’s smart.
His processing speed reminds me of (Drew) Brees. He sees it, he sees it," said Campbell.
"And every year it’s gotten faster and faster. And then watch him under duress.
Nobody makes a more accurate throw under duress than Jared Goff.”
Goff’s path to Detroit began when Los Angeles traded Matthew Stafford, and Lions general manager Brad Holmes specifically pushed to get Goff included in the deal. Holmes believed the change of scenery would help the former No. 1 overall pick.
Campbell also addressed the larger question of respect, and he didn’t shy away from saying Goff has been overlooked.
“You’re not wrong,” said Campbell, when asked about Goff getting the credit he deserves. "Yeah, totally.
But as we know, it doesn’t matter. I mean, we can’t change that.
Like, it doesn’t matter. All that matters is we keep winning, and you win the big one, man.
You win your division, and then you find a way to win the big one. And then, so be it.
And if you still don’t get respect, who gives a crap, because you won, and nobody can take that away from you.
“So yeah, absolutely. I mean, he is massively underrated.
This is a quarterback that plays the quarterback position-he knows how to play quarterback. When you gotta have it, (he) can stand in the pocket, make an accurate throw, an accurate read, and that’s what the quarterback position is.
And he’s a rare breed of man.”
In Other News...
Lions Suddenly Need Backfield Help Before Week 1
The Lions backfield picture got thinner just as the season is about to begin, with Isiah Pacheco landing on injured reserve and set to miss at least the first four games. That leaves Detroit looking for help behind Jahmyr Gibbs, and the current plan has Jacob Saylors stepping into the RB2 role for now.
Detroit is already weighing outside options to shore up the depth chart, with Trayveon Williams, Raheem Mostert and Antonio Gibson among the names in the mix. It is the kind of early-season adjustment that can change quickly, but for the moment the Lions are clearly treating running back as a spot that needs reinforcement before Week 1. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Sent A Clear Message With One Surprise Pass Rush Decision
Brad Holmes made it clear this summer that Eric ONeills path onto the Lions initial 53-man roster was about more than filling a camp body spot. The undrafted free agent earned attention with his playmaking instincts, his ability to handle multiple roles and the way he fit the culture Detroit has built under Holmes and Dan Campbell, all traits that matter for a team trying to keep its edge up front.
Ray Agnew has also pointed to the defensive line as one of the rosters real strengths heading into the season, and it is easy to see why. With Alim McNeill, Aidan Hutchinson, Tyleik Williams, D.J. Wonnum and Derrick Moore in the mix, the Lions have loaded up on talent and depth, which makes ONeills presence even more notable. It is the kind of surprise pass-rush decision that says as much about Detroits standards as it does about one young players rise. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Face A Real Receiver Dilemma With Two Roster Spots Open
The Lions still have some flexibility to sort through at wide receiver after trimming their group to four and opening up two roster spots. With depth always a priority in a long season, Detroit is at least looking at ways to add another body to the room, and veteran Nick Westbrook-Ikhine has emerged as one possibility after spending time on the Colts practice squad.
Westbrook-Ikhine brings six years of NFL experience and has worked as an outside receiver, which gives him a clear fit in Detroits offensive mix. The question is whether the Lions want that kind of addition more than a player who can also help in the return game, and with those two openings still available, the front office has a little room to decide what matters most. [Read more 🡒]