Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff recently spoke with West Wilson of Complex about earning a wild-card playoff victory over the Los Angeles Rams, Goff’s employer from 2016 through the 2020 season, this past January.
“I’ve talked about that so much recently and I really think the thing that still rings true is how much more important it was getting a win for our team and our city,” Goff explained. “It was the first playoff win in so long and a home playoff game, the energy in that building was incredible. Obviously, there were some personal connections for me, but it was never about me getting revenge or vindication or anything like that. It was about getting a win for our team and playing as best I can. There were some emotions that I had to deal with, but it was easy once I focused on what really mattered.”
Goff acknowledged as far back as the fall of 2021 that he had a chip on his shoulder and felt disrespected about being sent to the Lions following the 2020 season via the trade that landed Los Angeles signal-caller Matthew Stafford in return.
The 29-year-old said before the playoff matchup versus the Rams at Detroit’s Ford Field that the chip on his shoulder related to the trade will “never leave me,” and Goff then completed 22-of-27 passes for 277 yards with a touchdown in the 24-23 victory that gave the Lions their first playoff win since January 1992.
Detroit ultimately advanced to the NFC Championship Game, where the club squandered a 24-7 halftime lead en route to falling to the San Francisco 49ers 34-31.
“Yeah it’s been great and I’ve been in just such early stages of it,” Goff said about giving tortured Detroit supporters meaningful January memories. “But you know, you hear about all the stories of the last 30 years and all the heartbreak and all the close calls and all that stuff. And it was always kind of my mission to eliminate those. There is no voodoo over the Lions. That doesn’t exist. And I think making that a reality for them is my goal. It’s a lot of fun to play for a fan base like that and to be in front of people who care so much.”
Goff could soon sign a contract extension with Detroit, as he’s a big reason why DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Lions on Friday afternoon second among NFC betting favorites at +1200 odds to win Super Bowl LIX next February.