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Jared Goff has been one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the league since being traded to the Lions in 2021. However, he has often been overlooked when it comes to conversations about the top players in the league, and he has been overlooked once more in the latest NFL rankings.
On July 21, FanSided released its ranking of the best 50 NFL players entering the NFL season. Many quarterbacks such as Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Drake Maye, Josh Allen, and the 2025 MVP Matthew Stafford were all ranked. However, despite ranking second in the league for passing yards last season, Goff was omitted from the rankings altogether.
While an argument can be made that the Lions did not make the playoffs last season, other Lions players were mentioned on the list, such as Jack Campbell, Aidan Hutchinson, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Penei Sewell.
It is surprising to see Goff, who has been instrumental in leading the Lions to new heights after leading them to the Conference Championship Game in 2023 and clinching the first seed in 2024, miss out on the rankings by FanSided’s Cody Williams and Jack Beckman, despite putting up another incredible season.
In the 2025 season, Goff was one of the most accurate quarterbacks, with a 68% completion rate, and ranked second in passing touchdowns with 34. He also finished the season with the third-best passer rating of 105.5. What’s also important is how Goff played every game, which cannot be said for Burrow, Jackson, or Mahomes, who were ranked above him.
Goff recorded his fifth season with over 4,500 passing yards and trails only behind Peyton Manning with six, Matt Ryan with seven, Drew Brees and Tom Brady, who both had eight seasons.
While Goff might not have gotten the ranking he deserved, he was still named the best quarterback in his division by another NFL analyst.
Goff ranked as the best quarterback in the NFC North
Going into next season, the NFC North will be more competitive than ever. The same can be said about the quarterback talent in the division. While the division has young stars in Jordan Love and Caleb Williams, as well as two-time Pro Bowler Kyler Murray, Lions’ QB Goff was ranked as the best quarterback in the division by SideLion’s Caden Handwork.
“With a banged-up offensive line and Dan Campbell calling the offensive plays for the majority of the season, Goff still managed to put together one of his best seasons,” wrote Handwork. “The five-time Pro Bowler was a steady presence despite the turmoil surrounding him.”
Handwork also mentioned how things can be different for both Goff and the Lions going into next season due to the changes made during the offseason.
“Now with an improved offensive line and a new offensive coordinator in Drew Petzing, Goff and the Lions look to take advantage of a last-place schedule and become kings of the NFC North again.”
With three consecutive seasons of throwing for over 4,500 yards and 30 touchdowns, with this improved team, we can expect Goff to do the same, if not better.
Would you agree with Goff’s ranking amongst the quarterbacks in the NFC North, and where would you rank Goff in a list of the best players in the league? Let us know in the comments!
