Is Jared Goff Getting Treated Like Cade McNamara?

The Detroit Lions scored 35 points in their season opener.

Normally, that would be enough to win a National Football League game.

Despite the outpouring of offensive production, many have focused on just how much Jared Goff's pick-six impeded the team's ability to win its season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Despite the 27-year-old's potential in Ben Johnson's offense, there seems to be loud and vocal support for the team to draft a young quarterback or move on from Goff at the conclusion of the 2022 season.

With some free time to survey what is being debated online regarding the Lions, it is apparent that the potential -- no matter how minuscule the chance -- of landing Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has intrigued the fanbase.

After watching Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes duel on Thursday Night Football, many feel Detroit simply does not measure up at the quarterback position.

Meanwhile, at the University of Michigan, fans booed quarterback Cade McNamara in Week 2. Remember, McNamara actually experienced a reasonable amount of success leading the Wolverines offense a season ago.

Fans became enthralled by the potential of JJ McCarthy and out went any level of appreciation for what McNamara has accomplished.

For Goff, he is battling an uphill climb, just based on the perception that he was an afterthought and a throw-in that Lions general manager Brad Holmes had to accept, in order to facilitate the Matthew Stafford trade with the Rams.

Despite the public perception, there is a very real chance that the Lions' front office is rebuilding a football team around Goff.

The team has a stellar running backs unit and an offensive line with a very high ceiling, if it can actually stay healthy.

Jackson is a unique talent, but largely unproven in the postseason.

Goff has appeared on the game's biggest stage, and has an opportunity to lead the Lions to playoff success.

The appealing part of Goff is that the team does not have to guarantee a serious amount of money to secure his services.

Holmes and Co. do not have to cut him after this season. Goff restructured his contract after he was traded, and the team has him under control until the conclusion of the 2024 season.

Landing Jackson would certainly require Holmes and Co. to make tough decisions when it comes time to negotiate deals for Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell and other talented stars looking to cash in.

The best route would appear to be drafting a young quarterback and letting the passer sit for a season, under the watchful tutelage of a veteran who has an understanding and strong input in the offense.

By all accounts, this upcoming quarterbacks class is the deepest the NFL Draft has seen in several years.

While Goff is flawed and has limitations, this might not have been the week to debate who his replacement should be.