The Goff Conundrum

Let’s get one thing perfectly clear at the start of this piece. Jared Goff is arguably the best quarterback in Lions history. If you are regular reader or just a casual sports fan from the state of Michigan, you know that is not an unreasonably high bar. If you want some data points, I got pretty detailed in one of the first entries I wrote for this site. You can find that article here

This not meant to be a backhanded compliment to Jared Goff. He is undoubtedly a very talented and capable NFL quarterback. You don’t luck your way into being the number one overall pick from the football factory that is Cal-Berkeley unless you can play. You don’t make it to a Super Bowl and outduel a young Patrick Mahomes unless you can sling it a little. So why do the Lions fell like they are at crossroads with a 31-year-old quarterback who should be in the heart of his prime?

As a former high school teacher, I believe the past elucidates truth. A popular phrase within the current lexicon originated by Maya Angelou applies in this case.

“When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time” 

Complicating our particular scenario is the person explaining themselves. It’s not Jared Goff. It’s arguably two of the brightest offensive minds in the game of football.

A dreaded combination of mediocrity and a mustache have turned Jeff Fisher into a bit of a coaching punchline. Few remember that his hiring by the relocating Rams was seen as a coup. A local boy who was going resurrect the returning Rams with a fellow Californian at QB. It didn’t work out that way.

That is essentially the origin story of a then 30-year-old Sean McVay. The boy wonder who saved Goff’s career and turned conventional football on its head. Veterans no longer played in the preseason. He exploited loopholes in the in-helmet coach/quarterback communication system. Within two years, Goff and the Rams were in the Super Bowl. However, within just another short two years, the teacher had seen enough of his pupil.

I don’t subscribe to the “Cabo San Lucas” trade narrative. I don’t think the very close in age McVay and Matt Stafford were partying together in Mexico and came to a joint epiphany. The person who ended Goff’s tenure in Los Angles wasn’t Matt Stafford. It wasn’t even wily old Bill Belichick exposing him in the Super Bowl loss. Goff continued to be productive in the two ensuing years.

The tenure ender in Los Angeles was the incomparable…John Wolford? You don’t remember the undrafted former Alliance of American Football (AAF) standout? Wolford started for an injured Goff late in the pandemic infused 2020 regular season. Depending on your source, McVay stuck with Wolford even after Goff was cleared to return. He made plays with his legs; he took risks with ball. When Stafford became available due to the Lions rebuild that offseason, the Rams pounced.

The 2021 Rams was one of the greatest coaching flexes of all time. The Rams pushed all their chips (picks) to the center of the table. They said we can’t win with this guy, but we can with that guy. And they were…100% correct. Conversely Goff didn’t exactly set the world on fire as the Lions went 3-13.

You have to admire Goff’s resiliency and confidence. This juxtaposition might have destroyed the confidence of other players. However, a funny thing happened on the way to irrelevance. The Lions promoted an unproven 35-year-old assistant with the non-descript name of Ben Johnson to be their offensive coordinator.

Referencing “Benedict” Johnson is probably a recipe for losing Lions fans at this juncture. That being said, the parallels are too hard to ignore. Conventional league thinking was turned on its head once again by a young and brash upstart. Fourth down decision making, trick plays, eligible lineman as receivers? Yes, Dan Campbell deserves some credit for this, but you can’t ignore Johnson’s fingerprints.

Unfortunately, the parallels do not end there. Just as McVay seemed to suffer from a four-year relational itch. Ben Johnson got restless after year four with Jared Goff. Now it’s easy to say these are not apt comparisons. As Johnson was a coordinator and not a head coach. Once again that ignores the historical record.

Johnson could have snagged a head coaching job after his first year as offensive coordinator. The turnaround was that stark. He chose to stay two more years. That is almost unheard of in the “strike while the iron is hot” coaching profession. He could have tapped into David Tepper’s deep pockets, returned to his home state, and coached another #1 pick with the Carolina Panthers. He also spoke with the Raiders, Patriots, and another team will highly touted #1 pick in Jacksonville. Why didn’t he bounce?

One perspective would say he is smart and selective. With the current results it’s hard to say that perspective is wrong. Historically, it’s hard to ignore the situational parallels. After four years he simply saw what McVay did. He realized that he had most likely reached his ceiling with Goff at the helm.

It’s pretty bold step to move to division rival. Let alone one as dysfunctional as the Chicago Bears. Why did he do it? Remember he didn’t leave for Bryce Young and Trevor Lawrence. As uncomfortable as it is for Lions fans. Ben Johnson’s version of John Wolford was Caleb Williams. If you think I am extrapolating too much. He essentially said as much after his departure.

“To have an athlete like Caleb extend the play and potentially find an explosive down the field, that’s what gets me going… I get excited thinking about that because I haven’t really been around that since I’ve been in the league. But I’ve been on the other side, and I’ve experienced it. It’s demoralizing when you’re on the other side and watching it happen to your defense.” 

Like McVay once again… he was 100% right.

Yes, I know Lions fans will point to the two head-to-head victories. But the Bears are getting ready to host a home playoff game as the two seed. While the Lions are looking for an offensive coordinator once again. Is this Jared Goff’s fault? Is he a bad quarterback because he throws the ball where bright offensive minds tell him to throw it? Nope, he has proven he is a good, if not very good starting NFL quarterback.

That is why I used conundrum in the title above. A confusing or difficult question for the Lions to solve. What to do with a quality quarterback who has been left at the altar twice by offensive masterminds with a wandering eye? Moving on from Goff is both financially and logically inconceivable. The new NFL paradigm is shifting to show that you can win big with substandard quarterback play. Now let’s get Eagles fans mad, they’re a pleasant bunch.

That being said, the Philadelphia model is not what the Lions should pursue. Frankly dumping even more money into the skill positions is foolhardy. The Lions are already a Noah’s Ark team. They have two of everything. Two good running backs, two good receivers, and the defense isn’t bereft of talent.

The already know what works for Jared Goff. A super structured, outside of the box offensive mind. Dan Campbell essentially hired a former co-worker with very little play calling experience. Open up the wallet (there is no salary cap on coaches) and dip into the McVay tree. Current Rams OC Mike LaFleur was not very good in his first time calling plays. He might get some slack from the mess that is the New York Jets. Additionally, the Mount Pleasant native has deep roots in both the McVay tree and the state of Michigan. You would think Matt”s (Green Bay head coach) younger brother would have some solid insight into the division as well.

If you desire the Ben Johnson flavor, and you want to spice up the burgeoning rivalry even more. Johnson”s current 30-year-old offensive coordinator, Declan Doyle might jump at the chance to call his own plays. He also briefly worked with Cambell in New Orleans. It’s bold and risky… but that is kind of the point. Conventionality isn’t going to cut it for Goff and the Lions. Conventionality is a coaching synonym for Jeff Fisher.

McVay and Johson have showed you who Jared Goff is. Dan Cambell needs to swallow hard and believe them. He needs show the league that fourth down gambles aren’t restricted within the white lines. Shake things up and retrieve the template that works for their competent, quality, and ultimately Super Bowl caliber quarterback.