Jared Goff’s journey with the Detroit Lions has been nothing short of transformational, both for his own career and for the franchise he now leads. Once traded by the Los Angeles Rams in what many considered a lopsided deal favoring L.A., Goff has since proven to be not just a serviceable replacement but an elite quarterback who has brought consistency, leadership, and high-level play to a team long considered a perennial underdog. In a recent SB Nation Reacts fan poll conducted by Pride of Detroit, a staggering 89% of Lions fans expressed confidence that Goff will surpass his 2025 projected passing yardage total of 3,875.5 yards, while 83% said they expect him to exceed his 27.5 passing touchdown line. That kind of overwhelming support speaks volumes—not just about Goff’s past production, but about the faith this fan base has in his future amid changes and challenges.
The numbers behind that confidence are compelling. Over the past three seasons, Goff has thrown for more than 4,400 yards each year, with touchdown totals of 29, 30, and 37 respectively. In 2024 alone, he threw for 4,629 yards and 37 touchdowns, far surpassing the lines sportsbooks had set for him. These aren’t empty stats, either—they’ve come with consistency, efficiency, and poise. Goff’s 2024 campaign featured one of the most accurate passing performances in NFL history, including a perfect 18-for-18 showing against the Seahawks in a game played in rainy conditions. That level of execution under pressure is something Lions fans have rarely seen at the quarterback position, and it helps explain why so many believe he’s capable of continuing to elevate his game.
Beyond the individual performance, Goff’s environment continues to support high-level production. Detroit’s offense remains one of the most well-rounded and explosive units in the NFL. With stars like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, and David Montgomery returning, Goff has an abundance of reliable weapons. The offensive line, anchored by elite tackle Penei Sewell, remains a top-tier unit despite the recent retirement of veteran center Frank Ragnow. While Ragnow’s departure is a notable loss both on the field and in the locker room, the Lions have built impressive depth and cohesion up front, giving Goff the kind of protection necessary to thrive in a high-volume passing role.
Another major storyline this offseason was the departure of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who played a significant role in Goff’s resurgence. Johnson’s creativity, play design, and trust in Goff were instrumental in making the Lions one of the most dangerous offenses in football. His successor, John Morton, inherits a strong foundation and a quarterback who is now fully comfortable in Detroit’s system. While any change in play-caller introduces potential variables, Goff’s familiarity with the core system, coupled with the return of most offensive personnel, should ease the transition. Fans clearly don’t see Johnson’s exit as a deal-breaker; instead, they seem to trust that Goff’s leadership and experience will ensure continuity.
What’s also fueling this groundswell of confidence is the recent history of Goff outperforming betting expectations. Year after year, sportsbooks have set his lines conservatively, only for Goff to comfortably beat them. In 2024, he eclipsed his projected touchdown total by nearly 10 and outpaced his yardage projection by more than 700 yards. This consistent overperformance against the odds has created a perception among Lions fans that betting markets are undervaluing their quarterback—a belief that continues to grow stronger as Goff adds to his resume.
The cultural shift within the Lions organization has also played a role. Under head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes, the Lions have gone from a rebuilding team to a legitimate contender in the NFC. That transformation has been built on toughness, accountability, and a unified locker room—values Goff embodies. He has evolved from being viewed as a transitional player to the unquestioned leader of the team, with both his teammates and coaches rallying around him. Holmes has publicly committed to Goff as the long-term starter, and his recent contract extension solidifies that belief. For fans, that’s all the validation they need to trust that the Lions’ success is sustainable—and that Goff is the right man to lead them.
Of course, there are some legitimate questions heading into the 2025 season. A change in offensive coordinator always introduces risk, especially when it follows a successful tenure. There’s also the adjustment to life without Frank Ragnow, whose consistency and intelligence were critical to the team’s interior protection. Additionally, there’s the ever-present risk of regression. It’s rare for a quarterback to string together multiple seasons of elite production without some drop-off, and the betting lines reflect that caution. But Detroit fans are not deterred. Their support in this poll suggests that they believe Goff has reached a level of mastery in this system—and in this environment—that will allow him to maintain his performance, not fall off.
Another point worth considering is how these numbers reflect not just fan confidence in Goff, but their broader expectations for the team’s offensive philosophy. Detroit has committed to a balanced yet aggressive approach. They’ve leaned on the run game at times, but they’ve also shown a willingness to put the ball in Goff’s hands and let him attack defenses. With a top-tier receiving corps, strong protection, and a defense that has improved enough to keep the offense on the field more often, there’s every reason to expect Detroit to continue airing it out. That volume alone could help push Goff over his projected totals, especially if the Lions find themselves in competitive or high-scoring games.
The betting lines set by sportsbooks represent more than just predictions—they reflect public expectations, injury risks, coaching changes, and broader league trends. But the 89% “over” vote from Lions fans isn’t about spreadsheets or models; it’s about belief. Belief in Goff’s skill. Belief in his toughness. Belief in the coaching staff, the front office, and the trajectory of a franchise that’s finally found its rhythm. It’s rare to see a fanbase so aligned in its expectations, especially one that has spent decades mired in disappointment. But something is different now. There’s momentum, identity, and perhaps most importantly, trust.
As the 2025 season approaches, Jared Goff stands at the center of this new era for the Lions. He’s no longer playing for redemption or proving doubters wrong—he’s playing to win, to lead, and to sustain a level of excellence that has become the new standard in Detroit. Whether he surpasses 3,875 yards or throws for more than 27 touchdowns may ultimately depend on factors beyond his control—injuries, weather, matchups—but the belief in him is real, and it’s justified by everything he’s shown over the past three years. For Lions fans, that belief is no longer rooted in hope—it’s grounded in evidence. And when nearly 9 out of 10 of them say they expect their quarterback to beat the odds once again, it’s worth paying attention.
What the SB Nation poll reveals more than anything else is the cultural shift that’s taken place in Detroit. This isn’t the same old Lions team, and Goff isn’t the same quarterback who left Los Angeles with questions swirling around him. He’s proven himself a leader, a tactician, and a performer under pressure. He’s earned the trust of his coaches, the respect of his teammates, and now, the unwavering confidence of a fan base that believes the best is still ahead. Betting lines might shift. Analysts might debate. But in the eyes of Lions fans, Goff’s future is clear—and it’s bright.
