With only 32 seconds left on the clock and the outcome no longer in question, Jared Goff wrapped up a tough day by tossing an interception, intended for Tim Patrick, from the Detroit Lions’ two-yard line. This final misstep sealed the Lions’ fate as they fell to the Washington Commanders, 45-31. Ford Field went silent, bearing witness to the NFC favorite’s unexpected spiral, while Washington prepared for an unlikely face-off against fellow NFC East powerhouse, the Philadelphia Eagles, who had just bested the Los Angeles Rams in snowy Philly.

Now, if you’re a Lions fan, this collapse wasn’t exactly in the script. But anyone familiar with Jared Goff knew this wasn’t entirely out of left field.

Flashback to November 29, 2020, in So-Fi Stadium, when the Los Angeles Rams, still under Sean McVay’s watchful eyes, took on the San Francisco 49ers. After a grueling 23-20 home loss, Coach McVay’s frustration boiled over, and Goff, who had fumbled and faltered with three turnovers, was firmly in the crosshairs.

Post-game, McVay didn’t mince words—Goff had to step up and protect the football better, a sentiment shared across a tense locker room.

The journey to making Goff the Rams’ marquee player started when GM Les Snead orchestrated a stunning draft day move in 2016, trading up to land the former Cal star. The stage was set with promising stars like Todd Gurley and Aaron Donald ready to complement Goff’s promising arm.

For a while, things looked rosy for Goff under first-time head coach McVay. But as Los Angeles marched to the Super Bowl, their showdown against the New England Patriots exposed glaring issues.

While Bill Belichick’s Patriots excel at stymying opponents, Goff’s 260-yard offensive output, with only 60 rushing, hinted at deeper struggles.

With offense-minded McVay at the helm, Goff was envisioned as the Rams’ leader. However, the California kid required a flawless setup—stellar pocket protection and a potent running game.

Deprived of this perfect environment, Goff became merely serviceable, not the transformative franchise quarterback envisioned as a first overall pick. Tensions reached new heights by the 2020 season with McVay openly venting frustrations.

By Week 8’s defeat against the Miami Dolphins, the writing was on the wall: the Goff-McVay partnership was unraveling quickly.

In the end, the trade sending Goff to Detroit in exchange for Matthew Stafford wasn’t just a whim; it was brewing for some time. Though Goff had his moments, his inconsistency shadowed his brilliance.

It’s no surprise then, that in the biggest games, like his recent fumble against Washington, these flaws became stark. Detroit’s 2023 wonders turned 2024’s dashed hopes, marking another chapter in Goff’s up-and-down career.

So here lies the million-dollar question: Is Goff merely experiencing a rough patch, or have we reached the ceiling of his potential? When you compare him to contemporaries—Mahomes, Brady, Hurts, Burrow—who thrive under pressure and seize their biggest moments, Goff’s story casts doubt.

Coach McVay’s decision to swap him out for a veteran in Stafford underscores the core issue—Goff can be good but not great. Watch his game tapes closely, noting the underthrown, overthrown, and missed throws when it matters most, and you’ll understand why Detroit may soon be seeking their next heir under center.