Brad Holmes ‘always had belief’ in Jared Goff

There’s no doubt about it: Jared Goff will be the Lions’ starting quarterback for the foreseeable future.

Detroit general manager Brad Holmes reaffirmed the organization’s confidence in the veteran passer during his season-ending media session.

“In terms of Jared, look, I’ve always had belief in Jared,” Holmes told reporters Monday. “You guys have always heard me. I don’t know what more needs to be said from a leadership or performance standpoint, or what more he needs to do in that regard. But, in terms of the belief as always, I think I said this to you guys before, is that he got drafted in ’16 and he didn’t — he wasn’t the full-time starter, but ’17 was his first year as a fulltime starter and he made the playoffs. Exited vs. the Falcons that year, but the second year as a full-time starter, he went to a Super Bowl.

“And what I didn’t understand — I didn’t understand why his career was defined after he went to a Super Bowl a second year as a full-time starter. And so, then when he came to us, I always had belief.”

Goff, who just finished up his third season in the Motor City, put together a banner campaign in 2023. He threw for 4,575 yards and 30 touchdowns, while completing a career-best 67.3 percent of his passes.

He also led the Lions to 12 regular season wins, a division championship for the first time in 30 years and two consecutive playoff victories for the first time since 1957. And, in doing all that, the signal-caller certainly endeared himself to the city of Detroit and the Lions’ rabid fanbase.

Additionally, from all accounts, including a report from NFL Network at the end of last month, Holmes and Detroit’s front office are interested in inking the threetime Pro Bowler to a longterm contract extension this offseason. Goff presently has one year remaining on the four-year, $134 million contract he signed with his former employer, the L.A. Rams, in September 2019.

“So, him doing what he did this past year or even the year before, it’s not a surprise to us,” Holmes continued. “I just know how he’s wired. I know the talent he has, I know the leadership he has, I know his mental and physical toughness. I know what he’s made about, and I think his peers, and definitely his teammates, recognize the same things. So, (I’m) just happy with what he’s done, and just couldn’t be more proud of everything he’s achieved.”