Jared Goff, the quarterback for the Detroit Lions, would like the media covering his club to understand that a new chapter in the franchise’s history has begun and that they should put the past behind them. Willbo’s “Trading Cards” podcast, hosted by Robbie McInerny, Goff’s former Cal teammate, and Will McInerny, was posted this week. “I have this like, I probably need to drop it pretty soon here because I’m hopefully gonna be in Detroit for a long time, but I have this thing with our local media where like they almost like relish in negativity at times,” Goff said. They may no longer need to live there, but it’s what sells and what garners clicks.
“Hey guys, this is a really fantastic team. We’ve been successful. That’s something we can celebrate and be thrilled about, and we don’t have to write about how we’re always the underdog. No, teams will suddenly be vying for us. We emerged victorious in the division. I guess I’m overanalyzing everything because I have a competitive streak and a chip on my shoulder.” After winning the NFC North last season—their first division crown since 1993—the Lions proceeded to win their first two postseason games since 1991, defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Los Angeles Rams, and quarterback Matthew Stafford, whom they traded for in 2021.
Following an earlier this year interaction with a Detroit media member about the perceived talent disparity between the San Francisco 49ers and Lions prior to their NFC Championship Game game, Goff made remarks that went viral. “I wasn’t trying to be rude to the guy, I was just like that’s our own beat reporter that’s been with us for three years,” he stated in the podcast. “You’ve never visited San Francisco. You are aware of the makeup of our group. Why is it we always have to discuss how talented their players are? Talk about our players’ excellence. That was exactly how I felt.
“Is it because they have so many talented players that we get to play this game for free? Is that, roughly, what you’re saying? I said, “All right, [Amon-Ra] All-Pro first team member St. Brown. All-Pro Penei Sewell was in the first team. Ragnow, Frank. similar to Sam LaPorta. Do you want me to continue? They have many talented players, I’m sure of it. And we also do. I am aware of their excellence. And we are, too.” But Goff also made it clear that he was merely being mean to the reporter who had questioned him and that he liked him.
With his current deal about to expire, Goff, 29, is expected to receive an extension with the Lions. He found a home with the team and expressed the hope that their collaboration would last beyond this season. with his three seasons with Detroit, he has passed for 12,258 yards, 78 touchdowns, and just 27 interceptions. The trade that took him to Detroit, he claimed on the program, was the finest thing that could have happened to him. “In hindsight, it’s the greatest thing to ever happen to me, for my career and my development as a human,” he stated.
