'He Doesn’t Know How To Study Tape': Jared Goff’s Film Habits Prompted Sean McVay To Bring In Dan Orlovsky

Jared Goff Early NFL Struggles Mirror Caleb Williams’ Rookie Challenges

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff had a difficult transition into the NFL, much like Chicago Bears rookie Caleb Williams. A recent report highlighted how Williams struggled to adjust to professional defenses, often watching film alone without guidance from his coaches.

This situation is reminiscent of Goff’s early years with the Los Angeles Rams, where he lacked a strong foundation in pre-snap reads. When Sean McVay took over as head coach in Goff’s second season, he had to rebuild the young quarterback’s understanding of film study and defensive schemes.

Former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky, now an ESPN analyst, played a crucial role in helping Goff develop his film study habits. Orlovsky recalled how Goff lacked basic knowledge of defensive fronts, something typically learned in high school.

Determined to improve, Goff invested in a personal film study room at home, demonstrating his commitment to mastering the mental aspects of the game. His growth under McVay eventually led him to a Super Bowl appearance and later success with the Lions.

Now, Williams faces a similar learning curve, but with Bears head coach Ben Johnson guiding him, there’s optimism that he can follow Goff’s path to improvement.

Johnson, who previously worked with Goff in Detroit, is known for his attention to detail and quarterback development. If Williams can absorb the lessons from his rookie struggles, he may find himself on a trajectory similar to Jared Goff, who overcame early setbacks to become a top-tier NFL quarterback.