Former Cal star Jared Goff figures to set down roots with the Detroit Lions this offseason.
The 29-year-old quarterback, who led the Detroit Lions to the NFC championship game, “is expected to have contract extension talks” with the franchise, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.
“The deal is expected to make Goff one of the highest-paid quarterbacks” in the NFL, according to Rapoport.
Goff is entering the final season of the four-year, $164 million extension he signed with the Los Angeles Rams in 2019. He’s set to earn $26.6 million next season, according to Sportrac.
The Rams dumped Goff three years ago, swapping him for Lions QB Matthew Stafford. At the time, he was perceived as a “bridge” to the Lions’ eventual selection of a franchise quarterback.
But Goff has been superb for the Lions, leading them to eight wins in their final 10 games a year ago and then to a 12-5 record and their first division title in 30 years this season. Add two wins this postseason before Sunday’s 34-31 NFC title-game loss to the 49ers, and Goff has a record of 22-8 in his past 30 games as the Lions’ quarterback.
He has joined Hall of Famer Peyton Manning as the only quarterbacks drafted No. 1 to win two or ore playoff games with multiple franchises, according to NFL Research.
"The Detroit Lions never considered him a bridge quarterback, always thought he would be the franchise guy," Rapoport said. "Now, they'll have the opportunity to pay him like one.”
Goff has earned more than $161 million during his career.
He passed for 4,575 yards during the 2023 regular season — second-most in the NFL — with 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. His numbers in three postseason games, including the Lions' first two playoff victories since 1991: An NFL-best 837 yards with four touchdowns and no turnovers.
Goff has assembled four seasons of at least 4,000 passing yards and his 30,429 career yards are more than Terry Bradshaw, Ken Stabler, Joe Namath, Bob Griese or Jim Plunkett.
Among former Cal quarterbacks, Goff has ascended to No. 2 in career passing yards:
* Aaron Rodgers: 59,055 yards
* Jared Goff: 30,429 yards
* Craig Morton: 27,908 yards
* Steve Bartkowski: 24,124 yards
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