No Ben Johnson, No Excuses: Jared Goff’s Shot to Prove He’s the Driver, Not the Passenger
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff has heard it all before. The “system QB” jabs, the Stafford comparisons, the built-in disclaimers that fans can recite by heart. This means Jared Goff has inherited the biggest prove-it year of his career. It’s worth remembering that Goff wasn’t just along for the ride with Ben Johnson. He’s done this before, first with Sean McVay in L.A., and then with Johnson in Detroit. The common denominator here is Jared Goff.
The Preseason is Proving the Pieces are There
Detroit’s preseason is giving us an early look at life after Johnson. In Next Man Up: Hooker, Williams, & Ratledge, Ready for Preseason Week 2 Test vs. Atlanta Falcons, we looked at ways that rookies like Tate Ratledge could make life easier for any quarterback. Fast forward to Friday night's game in Atlanta, and we saw it. Ratledge dominated at right guard while first-round defensive tackle Tyleik Williams collapsed pockets, and the offense proved that it can run, block, and create space, the exact conditions Goff has thrived in since arriving in Detroit.
Life After Johnson - The Numbers
Johnson’s impact on Goff is undeniable. Since 2022, Goff has thrown for 13,642 yards, 96 touchdowns, and completed 68.1% of his passes. In 2024 alone, he set career highs in passing yards (4,629), touchdowns (37), and completion percentage (72.4%), while leading the league in success rate (54.7%). His 111.8 passer rating trailed only Lamar Jackson.
These aren’t “good if…” stats. These are franchise QB stats, and they’re proof that Jared Goff is more than the system he’s in. Before even arriving in Detroit, he was a Pro Bowler and Super Bowl starter with the Rams. Yet, somehow, the “system QB” label just won’t die.
Morton’s Offense, Goff’s Voice
Enter John Morton, who already worked with Goff in 2022. Morton’s primary focus this season is on creative route concepts, teaching the offense from the quarterback’s perspective, and giving Goff a bigger voice in the game plan.
The High-Stakes Season Ahead
This season is not just about proving that Goff can win without Johnson. It’s also about his future career in Detroit. His $32.6 million cap hit in 2025 is fine; the $69.6 million in 2026 is not. The Lions will need to decide very soon whether to extend, restructure, or possibly start planning for what’s next.
This season isn’t about proving that Jared Goff belongs; he’s already done that. It’s going to be about showing the NFL that his success isn’t conditional, and that Detroit’s offense can roar no matter who’s holding the call sheet.