There was a time when Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was the undisputed king of passing yards. During his career, Stafford consistently racked up yardage in impressive fashion, leading fans to believe that this was a hallmark of his game. His ability to accumulate yards in a short period made him a standout in the league.
When you look back at Stafford’s early years, it’s incredible to see the numbers he posted. Over his first nine seasons, Stafford threw for a staggering 34,749 yards. That’s an impressive feat, placing him fifth on the all-time list for most passing yards in a quarterback’s first nine seasons. Only a handful of legends had more yards during that span, including the likes of Dan Marino, Matt Ryan, Peyton Manning, and Derek Carr.
However, after Monday night’s victory over the San Francisco 49ers, a new chapter in Detroit Lions history was written. Jared Goff, the current Lions quarterback, has now surpassed Stafford in the record books. With his 303 passing yards in that game, Goff moved to 34,827 yards, edging out Stafford’s previous mark. This milestone pushed Goff into a tie for fifth place in terms of most passing yards in a quarterback’s first nine seasons, sharing the honor with Stafford himself.
But Goff’s performance wasn’t just about passing yards. He also achieved another remarkable milestone with that game, moving up to 37th on the all-time passing yards list, surpassing former Rams quarterback Jim Hart. It was a testament to his consistent excellence and growth as a quarterback in the NFL.
What’s even more impressive is that Goff’s Monday night performance wasn’t just about a single milestone—it was a display of sustained excellence throughout his career. This game marked Goff’s 42nd 300-yard performance, a record that now places him second for most 300-yard games in the first nine seasons of a quarterback’s career. Only one quarterback has more 300-yard games in this time frame—Patrick Mahomes, with 48. It’s a level of consistency and high-level play that many quarterbacks would envy.
But the accolades didn’t stop there. Goff also reached a historic mark with his 26 completions in the game, making him just the fifth quarterback in NFL history to record at least 3,000 completions in their first nine seasons. Joining the ranks of Peyton Manning, Matthew Stafford, Matt Ryan, and Derek Carr, Goff’s name is now etched alongside some of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.
These milestones are significant, not only because of their historical importance but also because they highlight Goff’s steady rise as one of the league’s top quarterbacks. For Detroit Lions fans, this moment is particularly special because it symbolizes a shift. Goff has now taken over the reins in a way that Stafford did during his time with the team, but in a new, exciting era for the Lions.
As Goff continues to break records and set new standards for the Lions’ offense, it’s clear that his journey is just beginning. His time in Detroit is only getting started, and with each game, he’s continuing to carve out a legacy of his own—one that could eventually place him among the all-time greats in NFL history. The records are a testament to his talent, consistency, and hard work, and they set the stage for what’s to come in the future. For Lions fans, it’s an exciting time to watch Goff continue to rise through the ranks and lead the team to greater heights.
