The first NFL.com quarterback rankings already look off to a lot of people in Detroit.
Jared Goff landed at No. 11 among the league’s 32 starting quarterbacks, while Drake Maye was placed fourth. That draw of the numbers is drawing extra scrutiny after Maye’s performance against the Seattle Seahawks, when the former No. 3 pick threw three fourth-quarter interceptions and watched the Patriots fall 13-10 on the road in their season-opener.
For Lions coach Dan Campbell and several players on the roster, Goff has long been viewed as one of the league’s more overlooked quarterbacks. The reaction around Detroit is simple: Goff may not belong in the top five, but there’s a strong case that he should be slotted ahead of Maye.
Campbell also recently talked about why Goff and Petzing have clicked so well throughout training camp.
“I think just their ability to work with each other and I feel like pull the best out of each other, if you will. I think Drew brings clarity in some areas, which is good and that’s always going to help Goff," said Goff.
"I think at the same time, Goff has these things that he sees, that he likes, that we’re capable of doing with what we have. And he knows he can do it, to where Drew is open to those and we’ve used some of those.
I think that’s a good thing, man,
“I think that’s how you don’t stay stale, man. You continue to grow and with where our quarterback is, playing at a high level to be able to continue to test him and push him but also allow input and allow him to do things that even though it may be a little new, a new wrinkle that he feels comfortable trying, it’s a good thing," Campbell commented further.
"And then in regard to something Drew wants, he may not love it, but he’s willing to go and give it a go. I think that expands his own horizon.
I just think it’s a good give and take, and I think those guys to this point have worked really well together.”
In Other News...
Lions Get A Brutal O-Line Warning Before Jared Goff's Season Begins
PFFs latest 2026 offensive line rankings offered a sobering reminder that even a roster built to win up front can feel fragile once injuries enter the picture. The Lions came in at No. 19, a mark that lands well below the expectation around a group that has usually been one of the team's biggest strengths and, in this case, slipped largely because of the injury to starting center Cade Mays.
The drop from 13th to just inside the top 20 is the kind of warning sign Detroit cannot ignore with Jared Goffs season approaching. Analyst Gordon McGuinness pointed to the lines current composition as the concern, and for a team that has leaned on protection and continuity to keep its offense on schedule, the question now is whether the group can hold up long enough to avoid becoming a problem before the games even start. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Rookie Debate Is Already Centered On One Crucial Position Battle
The Lions rookie conversation for 2026 is already narrowing around a familiar kind of debate, the one that starts with role and ends with impact. Derrick Moore and Blake Miller are the names drawing the most attention, and for good reason: staff predictions are weighing how each players draft slot, preseason work and positional value could shape his first season in Detroit. It is less about raw talent in the abstract and more about which rookie is positioned to matter most when the games begin to count.
Moore and Miller also represent the kind of choice that can tell you a lot about how a team views its future. One path points to an edge of the defense where disruption can show up quickly, while the other comes through a position battle where reliability and early trust often matter just as much as upside. For now, the discussion is still speculative, but the Lions already have a rookie race worth tracking closely because the answer may say something important about where the roster is headed next. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Suddenly Have A Week 1 Depth Concern Fans Should Watch
The Lions got through Thursdays practice with a fairly routine injury report as they turn their attention to the Saints, but there was still a little uncertainty attached to the week. Several players were full participants, while Derrick Moore, Mekhi Wingo and Christian Izien were limited as the team continued sorting through a few lingering health issues ahead of game planning.
Dan Campbell offered a cautious read on where things stand, and the overall tone sounded more hopeful than alarmed. Even so, any limited practice reps this late in the week are worth watching for a Detroit roster trying to get everyone lined up before Week 1, especially with a matchup against New Orleans approaching fast. [Read more 🡒]