Quarterback Jared Goff has signed contract extensions with both the Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions as a pro.
Goff explained during a recent chat with Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports why his latest deal means more to him than the agreement he inked back in 2019.
“This was obviously much harder and had a much deeper meaning to the city and the fans,” Goff said. “And I had to go through a lot personally to get to this point. That’s the main difference. I think the last three or four years have taught me that every single day is valuable.”
Goff helped the Rams complete a trip to Super Bowl LIII, where Los Angeles fell to the New England Patriots in February 2019. Later that year, he signed a four-year contract extension reportedly worth $134M with $110M guaranteed. However, the Rams traded Goff to Detroit after the 2020 season.
The Lions went 3-13-1 in Goff’s first campaign with the organization but most recently were a win away from playing in Super Bowl LVIII this past February. Coming off the run to the NFC Championship Game, Goff and the Lions agreed to a four-year extension that could be worth up to $212M, included $170M guaranteed and has a full no-trade clause.
Despite such assurances, Goff still knows things can change quickly in the NFL.
“I feel like because of everything I’ve gone through, I feel like every single day I have to go out here and prove myself to myself and teammates and coaches that I’m the guy to lead them,” Goff said.
As of Tuesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Lions second among the betting favorites at +550 odds to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LIX. Detroit is an underdog no more, but Goff suggested he’s trying to tune out all outside noise ahead of training camp.
“But it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks,” Goff continued. “My thought process has changed to that way and I think that’s the way to be. How long am I going to play football for? I don’t know. Hopefully a long time, but maybe one day I won’t be playing here and I hope to look back and say every single day I went out there and tried to prove myself.”