Jared Goff has a chance this week to move past one of the biggest names in NFL history.
When the Detroit Lions face the Carolina Panthers in Week 4, Goff can climb the regular-season passing yards list and overtake Joe Montana. Montana sits 24th all time with 40,551 yards, while Goff is right behind him at 25th with 40,424. If Goff throws for 128 yards on Sunday evening, he’ll move ahead of the Hall of Fame quarterback.
That was enough to get Goff talking about the moment, especially with his California roots and his childhood connection to the 49ers.
“Yeah, that's awesome. I think you play long enough, you start getting into those volume numbers like that and very cool.
Yeah, absolutely something cool moment. And like you said, grew up in the Bay and Joe's obviously the man there and that's awesome.”
Goff’s ability to stay on the field has been part of the story in Detroit, too. In a season where multiple starting quarterbacks have already been knocked out by injuries, he’s been one of the league’s steadier presences. He has missed only three games during his time with the Lions, and all three came in 2021.
Asked about that durability, Goff pointed to the work he puts in before the season even starts.
“Yeah. I do take a lot of pride in that, being on the field," said Goff.
"And I take a lot less of a beating than all these other guys out there. And for them to fight and be on the field, I owe them the same thing for me to make sure my body's ready.
I do a lot of work in the offseason and take care of myself the right way, eat the right things.
"You can only do so much. There are things that happen, but I do try to put my best foot forward every day and every offseason.”
In Other News...
Dan Campbell Hinted At Big Lions Roster Decisions Before Carolina
With a short week leading into Carolina, Dan Campbell spent part of his pregame update signaling that the Lions still have some roster chess to play. Detroit is in trade talks for Joey Porter Jr., while safety Brian Branch is nearing a return to practice, and Campbell also made clear that he remains confident in linebacker Jack Campbell even after a slow start to the season. The message was less about the headlines than the direction: the Lions are still sorting out how their defense wants to look as the schedule tightens.
The immediate assignment, though, is straightforward enough. Detroit is focused on keeping Bryce Young from settling in, and Campbell said the biggest defensive concern beyond that is handling tight ends in the middle of the field. He also raised the possibility of rookie linebacker Jimmy Rolder getting defensive snaps, a reminder that the Lions may not be done adjusting the group as they balance short-term needs with longer-term decisions. [Read more 🡒]
Brian Branch Return Timeline Just Got A Lot More Interesting
Brian Branchs path back to the field is starting to come into focus, and that matters for a Lions defense that has had to wait out one of its most important young pieces. The safety is close to returning from the Achilles injury he suffered last season, according to Dan Campbell, after beginning the year on the Physically Unable to Perform list. If the timeline holds, Branch is expected to be eligible to return to practice next week, a first step toward getting him back in the mix.
What happens after that will be the part Detroit is watching most closely. The Lions would then have the 21-day window to work through before deciding on activation, and Kelvin Sheppards recent comments about the defense and its preparation only add to the sense that the unit is bracing for a potentially meaningful addition. For a team trying to keep its defensive rhythm intact, Branchs return would be one of the more notable developments on the horizon. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Could Have Tough Trade Calls If Young Talent Keeps Rising
The Lions are heading toward the trade deadline in an unusual spot for a team still trying to build something lasting: they are expected to be buyers, but they also have to keep sorting through which veterans and depth pieces fit the roster long term. As Detroit evaluates its options, cornerback Amani Oruwariye, defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike and offensive lineman Logan Stenberg have surfaced as names to watch, especially if the front office decides a roster spot or draft asset can be better used elsewhere.
What makes the calculus trickier is that the answer may not be about those players alone. The Lions also have to factor in how younger talent is coming along and whether injuries create new pressure points before the deadline arrives. If those developments keep breaking the right way, Detroit could find itself making some difficult calls on useful pieces rather than simply adding help. [Read more 🡒]