Before Jared Goff became a Pro Bowl quarterback and MVP contender in Detroit, he was a confused rookie who didn’t even understand what “over” or “under” fronts meant.

Dan Orlovsky, a veteran backup and former Lions quarterback, was signed by the Rams in 2017—not to compete, but to mentor. What followed was a crash course in film study that completely altered Goff’s NFL path.

When the Los Angeles Rams brought in Dan Orlovsky before the 2017 season, he wasn’t expected to challenge for the starting role. In fact, the plan was the opposite.

“You’re not going to take any reps in camp, Dan,” Orlovsky remembers head coach Sean McVay telling him (as cited by Lions OnSI).
“I just want you to show him how to break down film, and teach him defensive basics.”

This wasn’t a normal quarterback room situation. McVay saw the potential in Goff—but also saw he lacked the mental framework to reach it. Orlovsky, who had worked with offensive minds like Gary Kubiak and Kyle Shanahan, was the right person for the job.

Goff, to his credit, was eager to improve. Orlovsky didn’t have to push him or offer unsolicited tips. Goff welcomed the learning—and even built a home film study room to commit himself fully.

“Every day, we’d be in the meeting rooms watching film,” Orlovsky said.
“Then I’d go over to Jared’s house—he had put money into it. He made himself a dedicated film room.”

It quickly became obvious that Goff lacked exposure to even the basics of pro-level defenses.

“I asked him one day… do you even know what over and under fronts are?” Orlovsky remembered.
Goff’s reply: “No.”

“This guy—the number one overall pick—didn’t know what an over or under front was. I learned that back in high school.”

Fixing this wasn’t a simple process. It was detailed, intense, and built from the ground up. But it had to be done.

“We spent hours just on Goff learning how defensive fronts operate,” Orlovsky explained.
“Then how those fronts connect with linebacker placement, and how linebacker positions relate to coverages and the secondary.”

This wasn’t an issue of intelligence. Orlovsky pointed out Goff wasn’t lacking smarts—he just hadn’t been properly instructed in NFL concepts.

“Jared wasn’t dumb. He was simply uncoached in those areas. He lacked the foundation.”

By his third year (2018): another Pro Bowl nod, and a Super Bowl appearance

The sharp learning curve? Goff flattened it quickly.

Even though his Rams career later ended in a trade to Detroit, the groundwork laid with Orlovsky remained with him.

Fast forward to 2024—Goff just finished an MVP-level season in Detroit. He helped the Lions to a second consecutive NFC North crown and secured the NFC’s top seed. He’s now a respected veteran, film addict, and top-tier quarterback.

And it all began with a veteran who dedicated his time to teaching him how to study the game.

This story hits differently today, especially as young quarterbacks like Caleb Williams reportedly struggle with NFL tape study. Orlovsky’s words ring louder than ever:

“Jared wasn’t dumb. He just had never been taught.”

In a league where teams frequently rush rookie QBs into action, this story is a valuable reminder: education counts. Coaching counts. Having a mentor counts.

Goff arrived in the NFL with natural tools—but didn’t know how to use them.

Dan Orlovsky showed him how to think like a quarterback, starting with the basics.

That transformation played a major role in Goff’s rise to the elite tier.

His Detroit success was built on the mindset he embraced early on.

Dan Orlovsky never threw a pass for the Rams in 2017—but he may have made the most critical pass of Goff’s life: a mental assist into quarterback intelligence. Goff’s ascent in Detroit didn’t happen by luck—it came from humility, effort, and a veteran who believed in him enough to teach.