Detroit Agrees to Huge Contract Extension With QB Jared Goff: Report

Getty ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Detroit Lions and quarterback Jared Goff agreed to a record contract extension on May 13.

Fans of the Detroit Lions have been waiting all offseason to hear about the Lions and quarterback Jared Goff agreeing to a contract extension. On May 13, they finally did, and the deal is even larger than some of the most expensive projections.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on May 13 that the Lions agreed to a 4-year, $212 million extension with Goff. The contract will include $170 million guaranteed.

“Another done deal in Detroit: Lions are signing QB Jared Goff to a four-year, $212 million contract extension that includes $170 million guaranteed, sources tell ESPN,” wrote Schefter on X (formerly Twitter).

The contract is the biggest deal in Lions history. On an average annual basis, Goff will receive $53 million per season.

That’s even more than what ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler predicted about a month ago. On April 14, Fowler reported the Lions were working toward signing Goff to a deal that would be worth up to $50 million per year.

Goff will have the second-highest average annual salary for the 2024 season. Only Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow at $55 million will have a higher salary this fall.

Furthermore, Goff’s $170 million fully guaranteed is ranked sixth-highest among all NFL quarterbacks. The total value of the new Goff contract is rated ninth-highest.

Lions Sign QB Jared Goff to Massive Extension

Several reports in the media have strongly implied that it was only a matter of time until Goff received an extension this offseason. Even when other Lions offensive stars — wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and right tackle Penei Sewell — received record-setting new deals, the expectations remained that Goff would receive a big extension too.

On May 9, Lions general manager Brad Holmes referred to a new deal for Goff as “a high priority” while appearing on 97.1 The Ticket.

“He’s earned an extension. It’s important.” said Holmes. “Both sides are working really, really hard. These things just take time.”

When faced with contract questions this offseason, Goff also preached patience.

“There have been discussions, but I’ll let them do their jobs,” Goff told Heavy during an exclusive interview.

That patience has paid off. With the new deal, Goff is under contract in Detroit through the 2028 season. He will turn 34 in October 2028.

Assuming he finishes the contract with the Lions, Goff will have played eight seasons in Detroit. That’s three more than the five years he spent with the Los Angeles Rams.

Goff began his career as the No. 1 overall pick for the Rams in 2016. After going 0-7 as a rookie starter, Goff took the Rams to the postseason in 2017 and then the Super Bowl in 2018.

Following a couple down years, the Rams then traded Goff to the Lions for quarterback Matthew Stafford and a plethora of first-round picks. Stafford led Los Angeles to a Super Bowl title, but Goff has become one of the top signal callers in the league the past two seasons.

During the 2023-24 season, Goff led the Lions to their first playoff win in 30 years and their first division title and NFC championship game appearance since 1991. He completed 67.3% of his passes for 4,575 yards, 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 17 regular season games.

Lions Lock Down Another Offensive Pillar

With Goff, Detroit’s offseason extension checklist is officially complete.

On April 24, the Lions announced contract extensions for both St. Brown and Sewell. First, St. Brown agreed to a 4-year, $120.01 million extension which briefly made him the league’s highest-paid wide receiver. Sewell signed a 4-year, $112 million deal which made him the highest-paid offensive linemen in the NFL.

St. Brown’s deal will expire at the same time as Goff’s while Sewell is signed through the 2029 season.

With those three players signed, Detroit has the most critical components of its offense under contract for nearly the rest of the decade.

The Lions will likely turn their attention to offering defensive stars such as Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill contract extensions. But that likely won’t happen until next offseason.