PALM BEACH, Fla. — Head coach Dan Campbell has had a front row seat the last four seasons as quarterback Jared Goff became one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the NFL. Goff's passed for over 4,400 yards in each of the last three seasons with 96 combined touchdowns and two Pro Bowl bids (2022, 2024) since coming over to Detroit in a trade before the 2021 season.
He's become the unquestioned leader of Detroit's high-powered offense. Goff is never satisfied and is always striving to become better, and Campbell said that impresses him the most as Goff heads into his 10th NFL season and fifth in Detroit.
Campbell said the next step for Goff is continuing to take more and more ownership of the offense.
"He continues to grow every year," Campbell said. "I'd say the next step for him, and he knows this, like last year he came to us and everything we wanted him to do in the offense he did and then he began to bring stuff to us as to, 'Hey man, I can see this look. Let me get to this play. I know I have these options in the bag but let me get to this as well.'"
The Lions have a new offensive coordinator in John Morton, and though Morton is familiar with Goff and Detroit's weapons having been the passing game coordinator on the Lions' staff in 2022, Goff has been in it and lived it the last four years with this particular group.
Morton worked closely with Goff in the quarterback room when he was on Detroit's staff in 2022 and the two have a very good working relationship. Campbell said at the Combine in February that was going to be important in the hiring of a new offensive coordinator because he wanted continuity on offense moving forward.
Goff continuing to take ownership of the offense, particularly the game plan and audible list, is something Campbell hopes continues to evolve.
"I would anticipate that to take another step up," he said.
Detroit returns six Pro Bowl players on an offense that led the NFL in points per game (33.2), touchdowns (70) and point differential (plus 222) from last season.
