The Detroit Lions stirred anticipation ahead of the draft day in Detroit by announcing substantial contract extensions for wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and offensive tackle Penei Sewell within a short span of time. While this news initially provided some relief to Lions fans, it also prompted inquiries regarding the status of quarterback Jared Goff’s contract extension. Despite the vocal expressions of faith in Goff from general manager Brad Holmes and the front office’s eagerness to secure his extension, nearly three weeks later, there’s been no indication of progress on Goff’s contract front.
However, a recent interview with Brad Holmes may offer a clue as to when we can expect movement on this front. Speculation now turns to the 2025 quarterback class, with the contracts of Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa set to expire. Goff occupies a middle ground in the quarterback hierarchy between these two players, and it’s plausible that any extensions signed by Prescott or Tagovailoa could serve as benchmarks for negotiating Goff’s contract terms. Additionally, the potential extension of Packers quarterback Jordan Love, also set to be a free agent, could further influence Goff’s contract negotiations.
Interpreting Holmes’ comments suggests that there may be a significant gap between the two parties’ positions, with both sides possibly awaiting developments elsewhere in the quarterback market. Once Prescott or Tagovailoa finalizes their extension, Goff and the Lions will gain valuable insight that could compel them to converge on mutually agreeable terms. Until then, it appears unlikely that Goff’s extension will be finalized.
However, there remains the possibility that the Lions could adopt a strategy similar to Washington’s handling of Kirk Cousins, allowing Goff’s contract to run its course and utilizing franchise tags to retain him if necessary. Nonetheless, this approach remains a distant contingency for now.
