Despite public frustration toward Jared Goff, Lions head coach Dan Campbell isn’t ready to go away from his starting quarterback.
According to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Goff’s starting job is in no immediate danger, with evaluations ongoing.
Campbell called the 27-year-old Goff out publicly during the week after he struggled in two straight losses. That, plus Detroit (0-6) playing against Matthew Stafford for the first time this week, has turned a spotlight on the quarterback situation.
“I feel like he needs to step up more than he has,” Campbell said of Goff, after a 28-for-42 performance with no touchdowns last week.
The Lions haven’t yet had conversations in the building about benching Goff for backup David Blough, per NFL Network — he has a lot of rope. Goff’s contract, which guarantees $26.15 million next season, gives him a degree of job security.
But the Lions are struggling, bad. That’s not unexpected, particularly after trading Stafford, but the degree of futility — being the only team left winless entering Sunday — is worse than what had been expected.
Campbell walked back his initial comments slightly, saying everyone needs to step up, but that didn’t stop Goff from being under the microscope. Through six games, the 2016 No. 1 overall pick has 1,505 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions.
A win on Sunday against the Super Bowl-contending Rams would solve a lot of problems. But the Lions enter L.A. as two-score underdogs, and a win may be a lot to ask.