Since the Detroit Lions’ surprising playoff elimination, chants of Jared Goff’s name have considerably decreased, and one 97.1 The Ticket host wonders if fans have begun to turn against the Lions’ quarterback.
Why It Matters
Jeff Riger, sports radio anchor at 97.1 The Ticket, discussed the shift in fan opinion toward the Lions quarterback.
He noted that, while not all supporters agree, there has been a clear drop in confidence in Goff.
Jeff Riger on Fan Attitudes toward Jared Goff:
“The one thing I keep getting back from Lions fans, and it’s not every Lions fan, but it is actually a decent amount of them, is the quarterback,” Riger is quoted by Lions OnSI as saying.
“Do you know what has changed in the previous five weeks, six weeks, two months? I don’t think I’m wrong about this. Detroit Lions supporters are less confident in Jared Goff than they previously were.
Riger credits this shift to Goff’s terrible performance against the Washington Commanders, which included a pick-six in the playoff game that turned the tide.
Riger comments on Goff’s declining popularity: “It only took one game, and it was brutal.” Even today, we had a caller say, ‘Jared Goff can’t win you three or four games to win the Super Bowl.’ You went from yelling this man’s name at Meijer’s, a girl’s volleyball game, the local pharmacy, and a school bus stop to not singing it at all,” Riger explained.
“Is the chant coming back? I do not know. How does this work? Preseason begins, you have a team in town, Goff plays, and you yell his name again? How does this work? I do not know. There’s been a lot, and it’s almost gone unnoticed, but it’s significant.”
Goff’s ability to win big games, particularly in the postseason, has been questioned by critics. While Goff led the Lions to two playoff victories in 2023, his failure against the 49ers in the NFC Championship game did not raise any questions about his performance. However, the Washington game raised worries.
“There’s been a lot of reaction here and there; people usually mention it in passing. They phone the radio station about a different issue, but they always make sure to work it in. I have noticed. I believe Detroit has lost interest in Jared Goff. I do. I get it, man; he stunk in the last game. “He wasn’t the only one who stunk, but he stunk in the last game,” Riger explained.
“And he’s 30 years old, and he’s gonna have to work with a new OC, and maybe this entire time you always thought he was a bridge quarterback even though he proved he wasn’t.”
Some Detroit supporters may have questioned Goff’s ability to lead the Lions to a Super Bowl, as speculated by Rig.
“I feel all of Detroit adores Goff. And the Goff shouts began when Stafford ran onto the field in the playoffs last year, correct? But have you actually always loved him? Or was there always something deep inside that told you he wasn’t the right guy for the position, and he wouldn’t be able to win a Super Bowl?” Riger said.
“I’ve always wondered this, and since losing that playoff game, I believe my questions have been answered.” Many individuals don’t come out and say it in public; instead, they slide it in, almost passive aggressively. There are a lot of folks taking small pot shots at Jared Goff.
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