While this offseason saw star quarterbacks like Deshaun Watson, Joe Burrow, and Justin Herbert grabbing headlines with record-breaking deals, their performances ultimately fell short of fulfilling their teams’ playoff aspirations. In contrast, Jared Goff, with his comparatively modest contract, surprised the NFL world by guiding the Lions to the NFL Conference Championship game.
Now, as attention shifts to the Lions’ quarterback situation, the team is confronted with a crucial decision heading into the 2024 NFL season amidst the discussions of a potentially lucrative deal for Goff.
When does QB Jared Goff Lions contract expire?
Jared Goff, who originally signed a four-year, $134 million deal with the Los Angeles Rams, is now in the third season of this lucrative agreement. This contract was later assumed by the Detroit Lions following a significant trade in 2021.
As of now, Goff’s contract is set to conclude after the 2024 NFL season. In that final year, he will experience the highest cap hit of his career, a substantial $31.65 million, alongside a dead-cap value of $5,000,000.
The Rams’ former first overall selection in the 2016 draft guided the team to a Super Bowl appearance in February 2019 before being traded to the Lions in January 2021. This trade occurred just before his contract extension took effect, allowing Matthew Stafford to become the Rams’ starter, while Goff embarked on his career with the Lions.
The trade itself involved the Lions covering the majority of Goff’s yearly costs, while the Rams shouldered a considerable sum in guarantees after extending them initially. This strategic move allowed the Lions to benefit from Goff’s prowess on the field without bearing the entire financial burden.
Goff’s impact on the Lions has been truly remarkable. In the 2023 season, he led the team to an impressive 12-5 record, securing the NFC North title and marking the franchise’s first division title since 1992.
With Stafford, the Rams ended their regular season with a 10-7 record, while with Goff, the Lions ended their season with a 12-5 record. Meanwhile, though the Rams advanced to the playoffs, Goff led the Lions to wash away the Rams’ Super Bowl dream in the wild-card round of the playoffs. It was the Lions’ first postseason win in 32 years.
Lions and QB Jared Goff set to agree on extension
Despite the option to part ways with Goff and incur a relatively modest dead-cap charge of $5 million, recent reports suggest that the Lions are leaning towards extending their relationship with the talented quarterback.
Per the report, the Lions are gearing up for contract extension talks with Goff, aiming to show their star player appreciation both on and off the field. If negotiations go as planned, Goff could possibly become one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league.
Meanwhile, Jared Goff’s current contract with the Lions, post his trade from the Rams, already carries an average annual value of $33.5 million, positioning him 16th among NFL quarterbacks in terms of salary. His outstanding performance in the 2023 season, which included 4,575 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and a career-best 67.3% completion rate, further strengthens his case for a lucrative contract extension.
The Lions’ trajectory shifted dramatically with Goff’s arrival in 2022, transitioning from playoff hopefuls to legitimate Super Bowl contenders. NFL Insider Ian Rapoport elaborated that this presents the perfect chance for the Lions to demonstrate their appreciation by offering him a lucrative contract extension.
“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.”
As Goff gears up for the 2024 season, the spotlight intensifies. Can he justify his hefty contract and propel the Lions to greater heights? Or will the weight of expectations overshadow his efforts?
