Jared Goff on Lions’ Offensive Evolution
Finding the Rhythm Takes Time
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff recently shared insights on the gradual process of an offense establishing its identity. As he enters his tenth season in the NFL, Goff emphasized that it typically takes time for teams to hit their stride, regardless of returning players or familiar coaching staff.
While many key contributors from last season are back, the Lions face significant changes along the offensive line, a factor that Goff acknowledges will require patience. The introduction of new offensive coordinator John Morton adds another layer of complexity. Despite Goff’s previous collaboration with Ben Johnson, the transition may not be seamless.
Goff noted that even a full training camp isn’t always enough to mitigate communication issues. He pointed out how evolving defensive strategies and shifting offensive trends can impact a team’s performance. “I don’t think it matters necessarily if your players are coming back, if your coaches are coming back,” he explained. “Every year is new, and every defense is new, and there are trends in the league that change and come and go, certainly offensively and defensively.”
He continued, “Maybe certain runs that worked in the past don’t work anymore. You have to find those little niches that your guys are good at that are also successful plays, and I think that’s no different than last year or any time in the past. It takes three or four weeks for the offense to get their footing, and I feel like it’s been that way ever since I was a rookie.”
Addressing Communication Issues
After the Lions fell to the Green Bay Packers, Goff reflected on the need for improved communication and attention to detail. Describing the performance as “sloppy,” he acknowledged that the responsibility begins with him. “I’ve got to communicate better and take a little bit of stress off of those guys from a communication aspect,” he said. “Yeah, just be better. Just get back to our bread and butter. We’ve got good athletes, we’ve got good players, we’ve got good plays. If we execute the bread and butter, we’ll be just fine.”
In typical scenarios, Goff receives two or three play options through his headset, which can lead to confusion. Moving forward, he aims for clearer communication to ensure that both the offensive line and skill players are synchronized. “Just clearer and making sure everyone’s on the same page,” he stated. “Very often we’ll have two or three plays called in my headset, that are called in the huddle, and making sure that we all know which one of those two or three that we’re going to run.”
As the Lions work through these early-season challenges, Goff’s leadership and commitment to improving communication will be critical for the team’s success. With time and effort, they hope to refine their offense and establish a cohesive identity that can withstand the rigors of the NFL season.
