Jared Goff Listed as 'Dark Horse' MVP Candidate

Is Jared Goff the most valuable player on the Detroit Lions?

Quarterback Jared Goff is a vital piece of the puzzle for the Detroit Lions. 

Could the veteran signal-caller also be in the conversation to win NFL MVP honors in 2023? 

According to the SI sportsbook, Goff has +3300 odds to take home the award this year. 

After starting the 2022 season turning the football over more often than he would have liked, Goff worked with the coaching staff to correct the issue, finishing the season with 324 consecutive passes without an interception. 

"I think we talked about Jared early on in the season, and he had some interceptions that, I mean, he grimaces at when we watch the tape right now. And, I think the recognition that, ‘Hey, this is a problem, and we have to get this corrected,’ all these guys came through," Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said. "The same thing happened short yardage for us early in the season. We were the 31st-ranked team the first half of the season in short yardage. We brought it to their attention, they took a lot of pride in getting it fixed and we ended the season on a high note, in terms of our short-yardage percentage. So, I think any time that we have a problem, just bringing it up and the acknowledgement, ‘Hey, we have to get this fixed. All hands on deck to get this fixed,’ and we have seen results in every facet that we have touched that way.”

In a recent list of dark horse candidates featured on the league's website that could win the MVP award, Goff was included, but only as ninth best and well below the likes of fellow quarterbacks Dak Prescott and Derek Carr. 

"I'm a Goff fan and 2023 Lions believer. Goff was the second-best quarterback in the NFC last year, behind only Jalen Hurts," writes Adam Schein. "That's not an outlandish opinion at all. It's the truth. Just ask my colleague Marc Sessler, who watched all the QBs VERY closely in 2022 and ranked Goff as such himself."

Despite including the 28-year-old on his list, Schein does not believe Goff will be among the top quarterbacks in the NFC this season. 

"Now, while I believe the Lions can break through into the playoffs, I don't think they'll be true Super Bowl contenders," Schein explained. "And while I like Goff to enjoy another fine season under brilliant young offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, I don't think he'll rank among the NFC's top two quarterbacks again this fall. Partially because it appears Dan Campbell's team could be looking to run teams over with a road-grading O-line and overhauled backfield."