Jared Goff says Detroit is where he wants to be

Jared Goff says Detroit is where he wants to be

ALLEN PARK, Mich. – Quarterback Jared Goff has made his intentions clear.

The former No. 1 pick wants to remain in Detroit.

Goff, 29, arrived at the Lions’ training facility this week for the team’s offseason training program while entering the final year of his current contract. The team and now he have spoken publicly about hoping to work out a contract extension.

“It’s been amazing. I love it here and would love to be here for a long time,” the veteran said on Tuesday. “It’s been really special, playing in front of these fans and being able to provide a winning culture in the last year and a half or so and see them experience that and be able to be a part of that has been fun. But by no means are we satisfied or happy to be here or any of that.

“It’s about what’s next now.”

Goff says he and the team haven’t gotten too far down the road regarding the contract extension.

“You never want to like say something. … It’s discussions. And (Lions GM) Brad (Holmes) has said what he’s said to you guys, and I’ll say the same thing,” Goff said. “There’s been discussions and my agent is on top of it. He’s doing a good job and I trust those guys.”

Goff is coming off a season in which he helped the Lions win two playoff games in a single postseason for the first time since 1957. He also led the Lions to their first conference championship game since 1991.

In three seasons in Detroit, Goff has passed for 12,258 yards and 78 touchdowns with just 27 interceptions.

“The last three years have really been fun,” Goff said. “Not always easy, but fun and hard. And I’ve been surrounded by a lot of good teammates and coaches that have helped me realize some of my potential and hopefully there’s a lot more there. But, I’ve had a ton of fun winning in this city and winning for these fans.”

Over the last two seasons, Goff has helped the Lions win 21 games, which is a franchise record for most victories in any two-season span. Their 12 wins in 2023 also tied for the most wins in a season in franchise history, which was set in 1991.

In February, during Holmes’ end-of-the-season news conference, he expressed the level of belief he has in Goff.

“I always had belief. So, him doing what he did this past year or even the year before, it’s not a surprise to us,” Holmes said. “I just know how he’s wired. I know the talent he has, I know the leadership he has, I know his mental and physical toughness, I know what he’s made about, and I think his peers and definitely his teammates recognize the same things. So, just happy that what he’s done and just couldn’t be more proud of everything he’s achieved.”

Following the trade that sent him from the Los Angeles Rams to Detroit for longtime Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford in 2021, Goff said he’s grown tremendously as a player in “a ton of ways.” Lions coach Dan Campbell and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson have empowered him to take over the offense and his career has thrived under their leadership, which he wants to continue.

“I’ve grown mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually … all that,” Goff said. “I feel very comfortable.”