Booher: Four reasons why Jared Goff is better than Lamar Jackson
The Baltimore Ravens made waves Tuesday when they placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on quarterback Lamar Jackson. As a result, other teams are allowed to court and potentially sign the 26-year-old former MVP.
In order to sign Jackson, though, a team would have to surrender two first-round picks, in addition to the hefty contract he will demand. A major reason for Jackson and the Ravens being unable to reach a new contract before the deadline was a difference in the amount of guaranteed money each party wanted.
One of the favorites to land Jackson’s services is the Detroit Lions, which were given three-to-one odds by a popular sportsbook.
The Lions have their own signal-caller in tow heading into 2023, though, in veteran Jared Goff. A big reason for the Lions finishing the 2022 campaign with a 9-8 record was the play of Goff in the second half of the season.
Tempting as signing Jackson may seem, the Lions could benefit from standing pat and sticking with Goff. Here are four reasons why Goff is the better option for Detroit heading into the 2023 season.
Contract situation
The biggest factor in Jackson’s future is his contract demands. He does not have an agent, so he does all the dealing himself.
He’s set to receive $32 million as a result of the franchise tag, but reports have stated that he wants a fully guaranteed contract similar to the one Deshaun Watson received from the Cleveland Browns after being traded.
To fully guarantee Jackson, a team will have to devote a significant chunk of its cap space. The Lions currently have Goff on the books for a cap hit of nearly $31 million in 2023, so adding Jackson would require the team to move on from Goff.
Goff’s contract is rather team-friendly compared to what the Lions would take on, should they add Jackson. Whereas signing Jackson would require a significant financial commitment over several years, Goff’s contract expires after the 2024 season.
If the Lions feel unsatisfied with the performance of the veteran over the next two seasons, they could simply let him walk and add a young quarterback on a rookie contract. Though Jackson offers some immediate upside, the commitment may not be worth it, given the amount he would command.
Goff’s current situation is more beneficial to the Lions, both currently and in the future. Adding Jackson could certainly turn out to be a big move for the franchise, but if the move failed, it would set the franchise back even further.
Jackson’s injury history
As a running quarterback, Jackson makes himself more susceptible to big hits from defenders. Though he has the speed and quickness to elude all defenders, injuries have caught up to him in each of the last two seasons.
He hasn’t finished a year healthy since 2020. In 2021, it was an ankle sprain in Week 14 that ended his campaign. Last season, he suffered a Grade 2 PCL sprain that caused him to miss the Ravens’ final six games.
His durability has become a concern with these injuries, reverting back to the Ravens’ reservations about paying him fully guaranteed money.
Goff, meanwhile, played in all 17 games in 2022, and missed three contests in 2021. That season, he missed one game with an oblique injury, another with a knee bruise and the third was due to him landing on the COVID-19 list.
Passing numbers favor Goff
Jackson’s running ability makes him the more dynamic player of the two, but Goff has statistically been the better passer of the two. Over their respective careers, Jackson has completed 63.7 percent of his passes, while Goff has completed 64.2 percent.
Over the last two seasons, Goff’s 66 percent completion rate trumps Jackson’s 63 percent mark. Additionally, Goff has thrown for at least 3,000 yards in every season except for his rookie year, whereas Jackson has done it just one time.
In terms of Pro Football Focus grades, Goff ranks just below Jackson,
with a passing grade of 71.6. Jackson’s stands at 72.3.
The two’s play styles are very different, with Jackson’s scrambling ability being a trait that Goff doesn’t possess. However, Goff thrived in Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s offense last season, and looks to be comfortable in the scheme.
Playoff success
Of the two players, Goff has had the most playoff success. Though he hasn’t reached the postseason in two seasons with the Lions, the 28-year-old had plenty of playoff experience with the Los Angeles Rams.
He reached the Super Bowl in 2018, and owns a playoff record of 3-3. There’s value in getting to the biggest game, even though he has yet to get a famed Super Bowl ring. In his six playoff games, he’s thrown for 1,300 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions.
Jackson, meanwhile, is 1-3 in postseason starts, with a lone win over the Tennessee Titans in 2020. In those four games, he has thrown three touchdowns and five interceptions, while completing just 55 percent of his passes.
Goff’s performance in 2022 is encouraging for the Lions’ future. With him in place, the Lions have a better situation at the position — from a financial perspective — while also holding plenty of playoff experience.