Jared Goff's 'Cut It Loose' Mentality Helps Lions Shine

Dan Campbell has high faith in his veteran passer.

Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell's confidence in quarterback Jared Goff has never wavered. 

The pair came to Detroit the same season, in 2021, and have endured plenty of highs and lows. Now, three years later, the Lions are on the doorstep of a division title. 

Goff entered the Lions' Week 15 game against Denver after struggling with turnovers in prior weeks. However, he responded with a five touchdown performance in a 42-17 dismantling of the Broncos. 

Though a majority of his turnover struggles have come in games against division opponents, similar to what Detroit faces Sunday against Minnesota, Campbell is steadfast in his messaging to the veteran quarterback.

"I think the same message that we had really the last two weeks. Because honestly he's done a good job of taking care of the ball," Campbell said. "We had Chicago, yeah, we came back and won that game. Green Bay, Thanksgiving, but honestly out at Chicago, I don't count those interceptions, I'm just bringing that up again. The center-quarterback exchange, that wasn't just one person there. So he's done a good job and I think, really, the most important thing is, man, cut it loose. That's the message, it's not the other way."

Goff ranks among the league's best in a number of categories, including passing yards and touchdown passes. He's also nearing the 4,000 passing yard mark for the second consecutive season. 

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The Lions offense was aggressive Saturday, scoring five touchdown drives in a row. After suffering a loss to Chicago that left many concerned, Goff and the offense played with urgency in an effort to get back on the winning track. 

The veteran passer plans to carry that urgency into the final three regular season games, starting with Sunday against Minnesota. Success starts with the unit not being conservative, which has been part of their identity all season. 

“That’s the farthest thing we’re from here is conservative," Goff stated. "Dan sets the tone on that certainly with our whole team and his attitude. And yeah, we follow suit.”

Though concerns were rising about his turnover struggles, the Lions' support has been unchanging. Goff has been a key part of the organization's rise to the top of the NFC North. 

"He's one of the biggest reasons we're sitting at 10 wins right now, is him playing loose and, man, just trust what your eyes see, play the progression and throw with conviction," Campbell explained. "That doesn't mean something bad may not happen, something may happen. That's life in the NFL, we've got to find a way to overcome it but we sure don't want him tightening up, worrying about all that. So just go out like you did last week, put the work in and cut it loose." 

During his tenure as head coach, Campbell has been careful to not overly criticize players during his media availability. That has extended to his quarterback. 

But behind the scenes, he and everyone else are still being held accountable for mistakes.

"Well I think that I don't really, I try not to single out any one player and just go after them," Campbell stated. "But it is what it is, I don't really treat him any different than anybody else. Just because I don't openly go after a player in the media doesn't mean we don't talk behind the scenes about what we need to do better, the details of it. I think anybody can kind of see what is and what isn't."

By establishing trust and reaffirming it, Campbell has been able to build a strong bond with his players. In Goff's case, it has allowed him to remain confident knowing that the coach has his back. 

"I think at the end of the day, as long as you're open and honest with a player one-on-one and you see their performance for what it is, good or bad, you can respect that and that's how you get better," Campbell said. "That's what we've been able to do and that's what I've been able to do with him. That actually gives him confidence and he knows that there's still a trust and a belief in him and that is important."