Lions' Dan Campbell addresses future of QB Jared Goff

It sounds like head coach Dan Campbell wants his Detroit Lions to lock quarterback Jared Goff down via a contract extension sooner rather than later. 

While speaking with ESPN's Jeremy Fowler for a piece published Friday, Campbell said that he "would love" for Goff to be his long-term starter. 

"There's nothing that tells me he can't be," Campbell added about Goff. 

As noted by ESPN stats, Goff finished last regular season ranked fifth among eligible players with a 61.1 adjusted QBR and seventh with a 99.3 passer rating. 

The 28-year-old was also tied for fifth with 29 passing touchdowns and sixth with 4,438 yards through the air. Thanks in no small part to Goff's efforts, the Lions went 8-2 after Halloween last year to improve from 1-6 to 9-8. 

Goff remains signed only through the 2024 campaign, and Detroit general manager Brad Holmes used a third-round draft pick this past spring to take a flier on former Tennessee Volunteers star signal-caller Hendon Hooker. 

Hooker is recovering from the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee he suffered this past November, but it appears Campbell wouldn't want the rookie in the lineup anytime soon even if the 25-year-old was ready to go this summer. 

"When you have a quarterback you believe in, why would you ever move on? I get there are other circumstances, but it's hard to find quarterbacks in this league," Campbell continued. "We've got a guy we can win with right now. We're fortunate to have him; that's how I see it."

Sportsbooks expect the Lions to claim the NFC North title for the upcoming season and to compete for at least a berth in the conference title game. Assuming Goff helps Detroit give fans a January (and maybe a February) to remember, Holmes may have little choice but to pay his QB1 the big bucks next spring or summer.