Jared Goff Has 'Full Ownership' of Lions' Offense, Ready for Opener

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff is ready to showcase the offense in the season opener.

Quarterback Jared Goff and new offensive coordinator Ben Johnson have quickly developed a stellar working relationship. 

The coaching staff has made a concerted effort to install an offense that the veteran signal-caller is invested in fully. Also, Goff now has the ability to have as much input in the plays being installed as he has ever had. 

"It’s been better than I could ever imagine," said Goff. "The trust he has in me, and the amount of questions he asks me, and vice versa.  The amount of questions I can ask him. And, his responsiveness, and how great he is at listening. All that stuff is so helpful for a quarterback, and I don’t take it for granted. He’s a great coach and someone I’m excited to work with.”

With increased collaboration and growing trust, the 27-year-old has gained a tremendous amount of confidence, ahead of the start of the regular season. 

"I think I’ve got full control of what we’re doing on offense and full ownership," Goff commented. "They’ve given me the reigns, and I’ve ran with it as best I can. I think I know that they’ve been happy with the way things have gone up to this point with me in that position. But, it’s -- yeah, I feel confident. I feel confident in the guys around me, too. It’s been really fun.”

Comfortable playing with increased tempo

Among the hopes of the coaching staff, including head coach Dan Campbell, is to slightly pick up the tempo at times, giving opposing defenses less time to set up and prepare. 

Goff acknowledged the offense has components that could feature no-huddle at times. 

"Yeah, definitely. I think we’ve got some wrinkles to do some things if we need to in no-huddle," he said. "And, if we pull it out or not, we’ll see. I’m sure at some point we will, if there’s a two-minute drive or what not. But, yeah, we’ve got some ability to do some things at the line of scrimmage.”

Matchup up against Darius Slay and Eagles' defense

Standing in the way of Goff and the offense is a familiar foe, Eagles cornerback Darius Slay. Slay will be looking to thwart the efforts of the offense to move the football down the field. 

“He’s so instinctual. He’s often visual, and instinctual, and obviously quick and has great hands," Goff explained. "But, he’s kind of never out of position, is what I’ve seen and from him over the years. He’s always kind of in the right spot. Always in phase and always kind of near the ball. He’s a hell of a player and a guy that I’ve played against a couple of times and have a lot of respect for.”

Besides Slay, the Eagles' defense, as a whole, presents the Lions' entire offense a challenge. 

Recall, Detroit's offense only scored six points in a blowout loss to the Eagles last season. 

“Yeah, it always starts with them upfront, it always has, ever since I’ve been in the league. It’s always been about their front. (Defensive tackle) Fletcher (Cox)’s obviously kind of been the anchor for that for the last handful of years. And, the people they’ve added with (DT Javon) Hargrave and now the rookie (DT Jordan) Davis and (DE Derek) Barnett’s a hell of a player. And, I know (LB) Haason Reddick. I’ve played him a bunch, he’s a hell of a player. So, they’ve got dudes over there who can rush and can do some good things. (DE) Josh Sweat. I mean I could keep going. They probably got five or six of them. So, it starts up front with them, and we like our matchup with those guys. We have a good O-line and feel good about it. But, at the same time, we know that they’re going to be coming.”