Detroit Lions: Jared Goff Is the MVP So Far in 2024 – Gridiron Heroics
When it comes to NFL MVP discussions, the conversation usually centers on quarterbacks. This focus makes sense given the award’s history. A non-quarterback hasn’t won MVP since Adrian Peterson in 2012. In recent years, players like Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Aaron Rodgers, and Patrick Mahomes have dominated MVP voting.
In 2024, a surprising name has joined the MVP conversation: Jared Goff. Goff has been exceptional this season, standing out even as the usual MVP candidates—Allen, Jackson, and Mahomes—remain contenders. It’s remarkable to see Goff, once cast aside by Los Angeles, now emerging as one of the league’s top quarterbacks. At this stage, is there anyone playing better than Goff?
A Comeback Story
Back in 2021, the Los Angeles Rams decided it was time to part ways with Goff, their former first-round draft pick. They traded him to Detroit in exchange for Matthew Stafford, who would later lead the Rams to a Super Bowl 56 victory. Goff, however, had felt he still belonged in Los Angeles. Just a few years earlier, he had taken the Rams to Super Bowl 53, which hinted at other possible reasons for the trade.
Goff’s performance had begun to falter, with untimely turnovers plaguing his game. Reports of a rocky relationship with head coach Sean McVay likely influenced the decision to trade him. Moving to Detroit seemed like a dead end for Goff, as the Lions hadn’t been playoff contenders in years. It appeared his career might stall until retirement.
But then, Dan Campbell, an ex-NFL tight end, became Detroit’s head coach and reignited Goff’s career. Over the past few years, Campbell has rebuilt Goff’s confidence, transforming him into one of the league’s most effective quarterbacks. While stars like Amon-Ra St. Brown have helped, Goff has been exceptional in 2024.
Super Bowl or Bust
The Detroit Lions have yet to reach a Super Bowl, a fact well-known among NFL fans. Last season, Detroit won its first playoff game since 1991, reaching the NFC Championship game and nearly beating the favored San Francisco 49ers. Despite a 17-point halftime lead, the Lions fell short, losing 34-31, but they showed they could compete at the highest level.
This year, the Lions have been dominant, with a 7-1 record and a clear goal: reaching the Super Bowl. Goff’s 2024 performance has been phenomenal. Against Seattle, he set an NFL record by completing his first 18 passes and finished with a perfect 18 of 18 for 292 yards and two touchdowns. His accuracy and poise make the Lions even more formidable.
If Detroit maintains its momentum, it’s hard to argue against Goff as the MVP. But for Goff and the Lions, the ultimate goal is the Lombardi Trophy.