As the 2025 NFL season approaches, Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff is at last earning recognition from analysts and experts across the league.

Goff has often been one of the NFL’s quieter standout quarterbacks. He led the Los Angeles Rams to the Super Bowl in early 2019 but was soon traded and replaced by former Lions QB Matthew Stafford. Even after a strong second year with Detroit, he wasn’t a top fantasy football choice in 2024.

That’s changing now. A fresh ranking of the league’s best quarterbacks heading into 2025 features Goff among the names.

NFL analyst Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report published a May 7 article identifying the top quarterbacks in the league. In it, he notes that high-profile rookies like Cam Ward haven’t yet proven themselves worthy of top-tier status. Others, however, have clearly earned their place.

Now that the draft is done, Gagnon writes, “It’s a good time to evaluate the elite talent at the game’s most important position.” He used both the eye test and a mix of basic and advanced metrics from Stathead and Pro Football Reference to compile his list.

Gagnon highlights 12 quarterbacks total, ranking Goff at No. 7. While he could be ranked higher, the fact that he’s even included now shows how far he’s come since being largely overlooked.

Gagnon compliments Goff, though with some caveats, saying he stands out on the list due to his lack of youthful upside compared to others around him. He also warns that one poor season could see him drop off the list entirely—much like what happened with Dak Prescott and Matthew Stafford.

Still, Goff’s stats are impressive. In 2024, he led the NFC in passer rating and completed 72.4% of his throws. He also posted a stellar 128.9 passer rating on third downs.

Though Goff and the Lions fell short in January’s playoff game against the Washington Commanders, fans are hopeful the outcome will be different in 2025.

“There’s no doubt that throwing three interceptions in a key playoff loss is troubling,” Gagnon admitted. “Goff has to improve on his career playoff passer rating of 85.1, or his regular-season success won’t translate. The 2025 season is crucial for him.”

Another 2025 quarterback ranking by CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin places Goff ninth overall.

Benjamin writes, “His calm leadership failed him in a surprising playoff exit, and with play-caller Ben Johnson gone, he faces new challenges. Still, Goff’s classic pocket style has endured changes before, and Detroit provides him one of the NFL’s top supporting casts.”