Given that it is currently the Detroit Lions’ most important remaining offseason project, contact talks with quarterback Jared Goff have gained a lot of attention in recent days. From using all the buzzwords, to different speculations regarding the team’s plans, to the notion that general manager Brad Holmes would aim to reset the top of the quarterback market.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler provided a new report on the status of the contract negotiations between the Lions and Goff on Sunday morning’s Sports Center.
“The Lions have stated publicly that signing Jared Goff to an extension is a ‘top priority,’ thus they are addressing this. People I’ve spoken to in the NFL feel that Goff will be the next quarterback to score that huge touchdown. Though there are other quarterbacks nearby, such as Dak Prescott, Tua Tagovailoa of Miami, Trevor Lawrence of Jacksonville, and others, Goff and the Lions appear to be the closest.
“They say this is something they’ve been talking about, and the Lions are committed to keeping their core intact, but nothing imminent at this time. Goff might be the next player to sign a four-year contract after Amon-Ra St. Brown kept him on a massive four-year deal and right tackle Penei Sewell on a four-year deal.
However, the market is rather obvious. For many of these quarterbacks, annual salaries of above $50 million are possible. We’ll see what lengths the Lions will go to.”
NFL Rumors: Jared Goff is anticipated to be the next quarterback to receive compensation.
Goff’s new contract puts him in a position to command almost $50 million annually. That puts him just below the highest paid quarterback in the NFL (Joe Burrow, $55 million annually), and would probably put him in fifth place overall.
As everyone is aware, Goff is about to enter the last year of his current deal. In addition to his $5 million roster bonus, he will receive a base salary of $22.3 million with a $32.3 million cap charge. His current ranking among quarterbacks for 2024 in terms of pure monetary earnings is 17th. Undoubtedly, an extension will improve that and increase his income for the current year.
Fowler went on to say that, contrary to what appears to be the current prevailing storyline, there is nothing imminent between the Lions and Goff. However, the notion that he’ll get paid before Tagovailoa, Lawrence, and others is at least more recent and presumably more insightful.