Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff has firmly established himself in Detroit since arriving in the blockbuster 2021 trade that sent longtime Lions signal-caller Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams. Stafford, who had been the franchise’s No. 1 overall selection in the 2009 NFL Draft, departed after more than a decade with the organization, while Goff stepped in to lead a new era for the team.

Since joining the Lions, Goff has played a major role in guiding the franchise to some of its most successful seasons in decades. His strong performance earned him a lucrative four-year, $212 million contract extension. Although Detroit fell short of returning to the playoffs in the 2025 season, optimism remains high for what lies ahead.

Even without a postseason berth in 2025—something the Lions last achieved in 2023—Goff still delivered impressive numbers. The veteran quarterback finished the season with 4,564 passing yards and 34 touchdown passes, continuing his consistent production under center.

Interestingly, Goff has now moved ahead of Stafford in a notable statistical category among NFL quarterbacks.

Goff Leads the NFL in Passing Yards Since 2016

Following his 4,564-yard campaign in 2025, Goff now holds the league lead in total passing yards dating back to 2016, accumulating 39,622 yards. That total surpasses Stafford, who sits just behind him with 38,540 yards during the same span.

Currently third on the list is Kirk Cousins of the Las Vegas Raiders with 37,504 yards. Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys ranks fourth at 35,989 yards, while Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs rounds out the top five with 35,939 yards.

Campbell Says the Goff–Stafford Deal Benefited Both Teams

Lions head coach Dan Campbell has previously indicated that the high-profile trade ultimately worked well for both organizations. Speaking last December, Campbell said the Lions are thrilled with what they gained from the deal.

He pointed to several key players who became part of Detroit’s core during that period, including Penei Sewell and Amon-Ra St. Brown, along with the stability Goff has provided at quarterback.

According to Campbell, the Lions feel fortunate to have their current roster and leadership in place, and he believes both franchises came away satisfied with the outcome of the trade.

Campbell Dismisses Any Talk of Trading Goff

Earlier this year during an appearance on Detroit’s sports radio station 97.1 The Ticket, Campbell firmly rejected rumors suggesting the team might consider moving on from Goff.

The head coach praised his quarterback, describing him as a highly capable and dependable player who continues to improve each season. Campbell emphasized that the organization values Goff’s leadership and performance, making it clear that the quarterback remains a central part of the team’s future.

Contract Restructure Creates Cap Flexibility

Detroit also recently adjusted Goff’s contract in order to create additional salary-cap room. The team converted $40 million of his base salary into a signing bonus, a move that cleared approximately $32 million in cap space for the 2026 season.

As part of the restructure, the Lions added a void year to the contract and lowered Goff’s 2026 cap hit to about $37.6 million, giving the franchise greater financial flexibility moving forward.