NFL fans have heard plenty of wild things from Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell this season.
He is known for his passionate press conferences and for keeping his team motivated following an 0-10-1 start to the season.
But the Lions have won two games now and it is time to start thinking about the future.
Quarterback is the most important position on the field and the play of Jared Goff has not been inspiring in 2021.
He has had flashes, but there is a reason the Los Angeles Rams sent over two first-round picks along with Goff in the trade for Matthew Stafford.
Campbell was recently asked if Goff could be the starter in 2022 and said he is open to the idea.
“Yeah, I mean I don’t see why not. He’s playing pretty good ball now,” Campbell said, via NFL.com.
NFL fans were quick to react.
Dan Campbell on whether or not he thinks Jared Goff can be a long-term part of the Lions future: “Yeah, I don’t see why not. He’s playing pretty good ball right now. He puts in the work. I like where he is going right now."
— DetroitSportsNation (@detsportsnation) December 28, 2021
The more Confidence Goff has the better he plays, Mcvay tore him down year by year and the trade killed his morale. Dan Campbell put his trust in him week after week. And built that confidence up. I ride with Goff. https://t.co/9qae3Fcnkn
— Just Nick (@Nicko_Parraghi) December 28, 2021
Question: Do you actually believe Dan Campbell when he says Jared Goff could be the long-term QB for the Lions? Seems to me like he has to say that right now when he is asked about it.
— Barry Sanders (@BarrySa57941695) December 28, 2021
Does Campbell have to say this?
Or is he really into the idea of Goff sticking around?
A Complex Situation
It’s not like the Lions can just cut Goff for free.
He has a dead cap value over $30 million in 2022, so he is coming back barring a shocking trade.
I just can’t ignore the absolutely awful, more turnovers than any QB in the league, no confidence Jared Goff we saw from Mid-2018 through mid-2021… a handful of decent games shouldn’t change their mind on him either if they had doubts leading up to this past month.
— r〽️B (@RMB1324) December 28, 2021
It’s nice to read these things and know there is one less team to worry about for next season
— Jordan F. (@Jordanlf3208) December 28, 2021
Imagine rebuilding an entire roster to win and going into battle with Jared Goff.
— Ty Tobiczyk (@TyTobiczyk_5) December 28, 2021
Campbell knows the contract situation and also isn’t going to throw Goff under the bus during the season.
One thing Campbell has proven to be great at is keeping morale high even under difficult circumstances.
The Lions are going to have an early draft pick and the quarterback class is not all that hyped.
That may mean one more year of Goff as Detroit builds up the rest of the roster around the quarterback position.
Get him a true viable WR1 with that fortress in front of him and see what he’s got. This QB class coming out is meh.
— Laura (@laurafh16) December 28, 2021
@gmfb Lions Coach Dan Campbell should be a contender for #COTY. He's changing the culture there and the team believes in his philosophy. They've been in almost every game. @KyleBrandt @PSchrags @heykayadams
— Anthony J Hinojosa (@maximussantino1) December 28, 2021
Campbell was tasked with turning around an entire franchise and that is going to take time.
Fans may just have to accept that means another year of Goff as the Lions build from the ground up once again.
NEXT: Dan Campbell Has Proven He Belongs In Detroit
