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Jared Goff's first season with the Detroit Lions was about as ugly and forgettable as everyone expected. He led a miserable team to a record of 3-10-1 in his 14 games this season. Not having Sean McVay or a talented supporting cast showed that he needs a good, if not great, situation around him in order to succeed.
As the Lions continue their rebuild under head coach Dan Campbell, they will have to address the quarterback situation. Goff is 27 years old and has limited upside. He can manage games and make the occasional great throw. That's not the type of guy you hope can save your franchise, though.
What Goff is right now is a guy who can step into a good team and help them stay afloat while they search for a superior long-term option. Admittedly, a player like that may not be worth the near-$80 million contract Goff has but he could still be a worthwhile option. His contact might be somewhat beneficial, as it can be used as leverage against Detroit in trade negotiations to get them to accept less in return or add in other assets.
The Lions don't need to shed Goff right away, but it would make sense for both sides to move on. Here are some teams where Goff fits the best.
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Best trade destinations for Lions quarterback Jared Goff
The Steelers need a quarterback and have open cap space. Goff would be a good match for them as they look to replace Ben Roethlisberger.
Pittsburgh has a solid collection of supporting pieces, namely Najee Harris and Diontae Johnson, that could help elevate Goff. Roethlisberger's limitations at his old age held back what could have been a strong offense. Goff's mobility and long passes aren't out-of-this-world but they are noticeable upgrades.
The Steelers don't have the desire to tear everything down and start over. They are surely fired up from securing the playoff berth, even though they didn't control their own destiny in Week 18. Goff is a proven commodity, especially considered to Pittsburgh's in-hosue options, Dwayne Haskins and Mason Rudolph. The Steelers are becoming fond of draft prospect Malik Willis but could still consider a veteran for the foreseeable future.
Although the Titans don't have as much open cap space as Pittsburgh, they have a quarterback they ought to move on from that has a contract that could be moved in exchange for Goff.
Ryan Tannehill's abysmal performance against the Cincinnati Bengals in the playoffs showed that he is not the guy for the Titans. Goff is six years younger than Tannehill, who just posted a weak 2021 season. Age may be catching up to him, and it would severely hamper Tennessee's ability to contend in this window if it really is.
In the Titans' offense, Goff would fit right in. Tennessee relies on Derrick Henry to be the offense's workhorse and Goff also has A.J. Brown and Julio Jones to throw to.
With Tom Brady hanging up his cleats for good, the Buccaneers need to find a new quarterback. They'll have their work cut out for them in retaining key free agents. If they bring back enough of them, they'll have a great chance at winning the NFC South again with even a decent quarterback.
With Mike Evans and a rock-solid offensive line, Goff would feel like he's back playing for the Los Angeles Rams. Tampa Bay would need to re-sign Chris Godwin and Leonard Fournette in order to truly get the offense back together. Even without them, the Bucs have a solid foundation for Goff. They also have a stellar defense.
If Tampa Bay looks to truly rebuild, they may look to the draft and develop a young quarterback. But they may also not want to take the risk while they have a stellar team in place. Goff may not be the right choice but he is the safer one.
