Lions not trading for Lamar Jackson but could still draft QB
Lions head coach Dan Campbell has finally begun to change the losing culture in Detroit. Armed with a large collection of draft picks, including four within the first 55 selections, Campbell and the team are primed for the upcoming draft. Their first selection, the sixth overall pick, came courtesy of the Matthew Stafford-Jared Goff trade in 2021. While Goff has been solid for Detroit, the team may decide to use their position to draft Goff’s eventual successor.
Lamar Jackson revealing that he requested a trade from the Ravens on March 2 began speculation that the Lions could be interested. Campbell quickly dismissed the rumors and showered Goff, the current starter, with much praise.
“Look, Lamar is a heck of a talent,” Campbell said, via PFT. “Trying to defend that guy has been something else. We played them two years ago. But, man, we’ve got a quarterback. So, I’m like, We’ve got a quarterback, and thank God we got one.”
Goff tallied 4,438 passing yards, 29 touchdowns and threw only seven interceptions last season. He posted a completion percentage of 65.1 and quarterback rating of 99.3 percent.
Goff was viewed as a bridge quarterback upon being traded to the Lions and has two years left on his contract. His calm, tough, and consistent attitude has grown to fit the culture Campbell has created in Detroit very well.
The Lions drafting a quarterback sixth overall would clearly signify a new successor. However, choosing to not at least try to pursue Jackson may signify the teams trust in Goff as their starter of the future. A lot can still change before the draft, but the Lions are in a better position then they have been in years.
Detroit has actual hope for 2023
After starting with a 1-6 record, the 2022 Lions finished above .500 with a record of 9-8, falling just one game short of a playoff berth. As consolation, they won their Week 18 matchup in Green Bay, eliminating the Packers from the playoffs in Aaron Rodgers’ last game as the starting quarterback.
A young team with a lot of energy, it seems inevitable that the Lions will take the next step this season.
Detroit has quietly made some fairly significant moves so far this offseason. They have signed valuable free agents such as C.J. Gardner-Johnson and David Montgomery. The Lions were a team that found their stride in very scary way in the second half of last season. If they can maintain their ferocity and health, Detroit will be very dangerous and even potentially capture a division title for the first time since 1991.
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