Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff recently reflected on his trade from the Rams to Detroit during Netflix’s Quarterback series. He shared how being wanted by head coach Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes made him feel excited and valued.

But former NFL linebacker LaVar Arrington criticized Goff on Fox Sports Radio, suggesting that his emotional response showed a softness not expected of quarterbacks, emphasizing the need for mental toughness in the league’s business-first culture.

Goff shared that the support made him feel renewed after years of feeling unwanted.

Arrington went on to label Goff and other signal-callers “soft” while discussing the topic.

Arrington’s reaction raised a fair point about the harsh transactional nature of the NFL. Though Goff’s emotions are understandable, professional football often demands players suppress personal feelings for the sake of the business.

Goff continues to grow into his leadership role in Detroit, with clear support from team leaders.

The comments have sparked wider conversations about the emotional expectations placed on quarterbacks.

Goff might choose to respond to Arrington’s remarks, potentially shaping public opinion on both sides. This interaction could affect how emotional vulnerability in quarterbacks is viewed in future trade narratives.

The differing opinions show how emotional expression varies across the NFL. While it’s important to recognize the human side of trades, surviving in such a cutthroat league demands mental resilience.