While the Panthers and Broncos received more attention for passing on Justin Fields and Mac Jones with top-10 picks, the Lions also bypassed the chance to pair a first-round quarterback with a new regime. These QBs did not appear to be on Detroit’s radar.
The Lions took Penei Sewell at No. 7 and are expected to slot him their first-string right tackle, where he will protect Jared Goff. The Lions required two first-round picks and a 2021 third from the Rams to take on Goff’s contract, but their top decision-maker has concerned himself with other positions on the team’s roster. Goff has the potential to start for many years in Detroit, per GM Brad Holmes.
“I never viewed him as a bridge option,” Holmes said, via Mike O’Hara of DetroitLions.com. “He’s been a winning quarterback. I think his resume speaks for itself.”
Goff is still just 26, has two Pro Bowls on his resume and started in Super Bowl LIII. However, the former No. 1 overall pick finished 22nd and 23rd in Total QBR in 2019 and ’20, respectively, and his play down the stretch last season prompted Sean McVay to favor former Alliance of American Football QB John Wolford and then greenlight a splashy trade for Matthew Stafford.
The Lions also lack the proven weapons Goff enjoyed as a Ram, having signed Breshad Perriman and Tyrell Williams. The latter missed all of last season due to injury, and the Lions did not draft a receiver in the first three rounds. Goff will also transition from McVay to Lions OC Anthony Lynn, who has not called plays in a few years. Detroit should have an upper-echelon offensive line set to block for its new passer, however, which could help him bounce back.
Holmes and Dan Campbell have started a rebuild, and the team holds two first-round picks in 2022 and ’23. Despite Holmes having played a key role in the Rams acquiring Goff via 2016 trade-up, when Holmes worked as the team’s college scouting director, Goff struggling in 2021 will likely put the Lions on the radar for the top QBs in the 2022 draft. But Goff steering this ship for two seasons should also be considered an option; moving his contract will not create any notable cap savings until 2023. Goff is signed through 2024, carrying $30MM-plus cap numbers in each of those years.
Translated: “He’s definitely a bridge QB. We wanted to unload Stafford while we could still get some picks for him and we’re forced to take Goff in return. While we’re hoping for a miracle resurgence here, we all know that we’ll be drafting our next QB shortly”
And figure we can end up drafting higher than 7th in the near future
With all the QB talent in the league currently and the importance of the position it seems that every guy is either a star or a bridge until you get a star
Lions should have a stout O line, good running game, good TE, but meh WR’s. Easy to trade for a youngster.
D line should be improved. Worried about the back 7, but they have a lot of picks in that group.
On Madden, a 8-10 win team. In real life, 5 wins?
Getting rid of Patricia probably improves this team by at least 3 wins because he cost them several games with his bad coaching calls.
They will add an aging WR veteran or two once rosters slim down.
On the other hand, Golden Gate IS a Bridge Quarterback!
Didn’t realize so many people here work in the Lions’ front office.
I don’t even think Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman will be the starters at WR come Week 1 for the Lions anyway.
Who do you think will start? Cephus? St. Brown?
Goff lacks grit. Dan Campbell has plenty of grit. Hopefully it rubs off on Goff, gets him fired up, and they show the world what the Motor City team has to offer.
Goff regressed the last two years without a healthy Todd Gurley to rely on. Detroit doesn’t have a Gurley-type either, thus you should expect Goff’s regression to continue.