Another ranking of NFL quarterbacks is out, and another ranking reflects the view of Lions quarterback Jared Goff.
It’s ranking and list season for NFL coverage, ranking teams, players by position, etc to fill the void. In quarterback rankings far and wide, the view of Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff is clear. Clearly not great, that is.
Former NFL executive Mike Tannenbaum, as part of his work for The 33rd Team, has ranked NFL quarterbacks in seven tiers–which is a little more interesting than a simple numerical ranking, to be honest.
Tannenbaum has Goff in Tier 6, with Tua Tagovailoa, Davis Mills, Carson Wentz and Jalen Hurts. Here’s how he described the signal callers that fit that tier.
Tier 6 are players that you can win with if the situation around them is ideal. They need time in the pocket, a strong game plan, weapons in the backfield and out wide. It is unlikely to see flashes of greatness from these players, but at their best, they will keep their teams in the game. If paired with a strong defense, gameplan, protection and weapons, wins can occur, but they must overcome mental mistakes and injuries along the way.
View of Jared Goff league-wide is clear, obvious and pretty much true
As his time with the Los Angeles Rams went on, it became more and more clear Goff had to be elevated by head coach Sean McVay’s offensive scheme and the talent around him. Even during a 2019 campaign where he led the league in pass attempts (626), his numbers were mediocre (22 touchdowns, 16 interceptions, 62.9 percent completion rate, 86.5 passer rating). So Tannenbaum’s placement of him in Tier 6, as he described it, is apropos. In other quarterback rankings out there, Tagovailoa, Mills and Wentz have been ranked closely to Goff.
The Lions’ brass, at least based on public comments, likes Goff more than everyone else does. But with better weapons and an offensive coordinator he should get along with better in place, Goff has a chance to reverse the narrative around him this year, if only a little bit.