DETROIT — In September 2022, just two weeks into his second year with the Detroit Lions, quarterback Jared Goff spent a rare in-season off day roaming the hallways of a local alternative middle school.
Upon entering Classroom No. 5 at Detroit Lions Academy, he interacted with students, even fielding questions in the afternoon before unveiling a new STEAM (science, tech, engineering, art and math) lab for the school.
“Do you ever think about switching teams?” one student asked.
“I hope not,” Goff responded. “I hope to be around for a long time. I enjoy you guys. I enjoy the team, and I enjoy the city.”
Goff is getting his wish. Since being traded from the Los Angeles Rams for longtime Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford in January 2021, Goff has revitalized his NFL career with Detroit. Now, the Lions have rewarded him with a contract extension worth $212 million over four years that includes $170 million guaranteed. It makes Goff, who will be 34 when the deal expires, the highest-paid player in franchise history.
The $53 million average annual salary in Goff’s new deal makes him the second highest-paid quarterback in the NFL, behind only the Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow ($55 million).
The deal comes weeks after the Lions locked up wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown to a four-year, $120.01 million extension and offensive tackle Penei Sewell to a four-year, $112 million deal.
Goff, who is entering his ninth NFL season, helped the Lions reach the NFC Championship Game while becoming the third quarterback in franchise history to record multiple playoff wins.
