Jared Goff didn’t hold back on Wednesday, providing a candid evaluation of the Detroit Lions’ performance in their season-opening defeat to the Green Bay Packers. The quarterback, 31-of-39 for 225 yards and a touchdown with an interception, made certain where the change begins. Where others would nitpick the numbers or slow start under offensive coordinator John Morton, Goff looked inward and spoke of improved communication, quicker execution, and accountability.

“Yes, just sloppy. It’s gotta be better in the details, and communicate better,” Goff admitted, while addressing the reporters, calling out the team’s play. “It starts with me. I’ve got to communicate better and take a little of the stress off those guys in the communication aspects. And yeah, just be cleaner. Dan [Campbell] has said it a million times—just be better and bread and butter. We’ve got good athletes, good players, good plays. If we execute the better and bread, we’ll be just fine.” Goff believes that the team has to be better at the basics and improve.

The remarks look back at the agony on the field during Week 1. The Detroit offense was only able to generate 246 yards, the run game never finding a rhythm at 2.1 yards per carry, with four sacks absorbed by Goff. There was miscommunication, missed plays, and execution that killed drives and did not allow the Lions to get any rhythm. Goff’s response affirms him as the team’s first-string quarterback and makes it clear that he won’t be afraid to comment on weaknesses there.

When asked by reporters if he was surprised at the negative response, Goff had a simple answer. “What’s the reaction?” he said. The reporter further told him, ”I mean, it’s obviously pretty negative, he replied, “Don’t care. We’ve heard negative from the outside before. Is it anyone in this building? I don’t think so.” The QB is more focused on what’s the chatter inside, rather than what people are saying from outside.

Goff addressed his passing choices and whether he consistently found open targets in tight coverage windows. However, he emphasized the limited scope of early-season evaluation. “It’s one game,” Goff said. “If there was someone downfield open and I should have thrown it, I don’t feel like there was, but if there was, then I should have thrown it.” Goff defended his reads while acknowledging room for improvement in the season opener. Goff completed 225 passing yards in the game.

Goff knows that the first game doesn’t make the season, but he also knows game-day errors and communication failures need to be addressed as soon as they happen. As much as outside noise has been quick to suggest Detroit isn’t ready, Goff is set to take the criticism and use it as a blueprint for correction rather than distraction.

Two of Detroit’s greatest concerns from Week 1 were, pass rush and the offensive line were present in all their glory against Green Bay. The resurfaced offense line that had three new starters couldn’t hold up in pass protection, with Goff sacked four times and failing to open much space to run. Running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs combined for a mere 44 yards on 20 attempts. Next Gen Stats measured Lions ball carriers being stopped behind the line of scrimmage on almost three-quarters of their attempts.
Goff also spoke about the offense and adjusting to the new OC.

Jared Goff on Lions Coach

Goff also had thoughts on his new offensive coordinator John Morton. The quarterback described Morton as “a new human”, acquiring the team as the players become accustomed to his system. “He’s getting used to us still, we’re getting used to him still, and some of that progression is still happening,” Goff said. 

Goff’s remarks were interesting as they were fair and honest. Conceding struggles in adjusting to a new coordinator without the fear of pointing out fault. If the offense was mediocre at times, he suggested that acclimation is something one picks up and losses early in the season are not an indication of how a team will later perform. By putting Morton’s first game into context, Goff accepted the criticism, redefining learning from error while staying focused on the team.

He also emphasized rhythm and execution in working for Morton. “Certainly, we want to get into that rhythm this week, though. We don’t want to wait until Week 6 or 7 to find that out. But I think that’s natural when there’s a new coordinator, a new guy calling plays,” Goff said. They express confidence in the system while informing teammates and fans alike that early struggle comes with acclimation.

The focus point of communication, implementation, and acclimatization to Morton’s system by quarterback Goff is counteracted by leadership, which sets team and coaching staff expectations. Detroit issues in early season have been revealed, and Goff’s plain frankness sets a proactive solution to tying them up on a good note for the year.