The rivalry between the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions remains intense, especially after quarterback Jared Goff reignited tensions. The Vikings’ defeat in that matchup cost them the division title and the NFC’s top playoff seed.
Goff holds a 7-3 career record against the Vikings. He has also steered the Lions to five consecutive wins over their NFC North foe as the starting quarterback.
Instead of keeping things respectful, Goff added to the tension when he had the chance. During a Fanatics event, he was handed a Vikings cap to sign. He autographed it—but also crossed out the team’s logo.
“Oh, man,” Goff says in the clip, which first appeared on TikTok and was reshared on X by The Detroit Times on June 17.
“That’s my QB,” a fan commented below the video.
“At least he signed it, I’ll give him that lol,” wrote another fan under the original clip, which was posted back on June 2.
“ Should’ve just signed ‘Daddy,’” joked one fan in the replies to the initial post.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell is seen talking to Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions in the video.
The Vikings have larger concerns right now than Goff and Detroit. They kick off the 2025 season on Monday Night Football against the Chicago Bears. They won’t meet Detroit until Week 9, then again in Week 17 on Christmas.
While the stakes might differ this time, the Vikings have a shot at reversing their fortunes against Goff this year.
Minnesota is handing the offense to 2024 first-rounder J.J. McCarthy, following a 14-win season with Sam Darnold, now on the Seattle Seahawks. McCarthy enters with a strong roster and one of the top defenses and skill units in the league.
Goff, meanwhile, saw both of his coordinators leave for head coaching roles, and longtime center Frank Ragnow has retired.
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is pictured taking the field before facing the Green Bay Packers.
Unlike Goff, Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown spoke respectfully about Minnesota, boasting a 6-2 record against them.
Still, the three-time Pro Bowler gave high praise to Vikings DC Brian Flores.
“The Vikings are tough,” St. Brown said to rookie WR Tai Felton on The St. Brown Podcast on June 11. “Coach Flores? Your DC? Man, I don’t know what you guys do in practice, but in games, his defenses are wild.”
During the 2024 regular season, the Vikings ranked 28th against the pass. Still, they placed fifth in scoring, fourth in sacks, and first in blitz rate, per Pro Football Reference.
Flores’ high-pressure system frequently isolates corners in man coverage.
But Minnesota’s knack for getting stops—ranking fourth in third-down defense at 35.6% and first on fourth downs at 37.1%—was a key to their success.
The next challenge for Flores and the Vikings is figuring out how to beat Goff and the Lions more consistently.
