Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dharya Sharma | Last updated Sep 9, 2026 6:36 PM ET
The Detroit Lions have a few new starters on both sides of the ball in 2026, but the team’s core pieces remain on the roster and are playing at a high level, especially quarterback Jared Goff.
Since arriving in Detroit in 2021 in the Matthew Stafford trade with the Los Angeles Rams, Goff has been one of the most productive signal-callers in football. The California product has thrown for at least 30 touchdowns and more than 4,500 passing yards in each of the last three seasons, and has led the Lions to a 48-33-1 record as the starter, including two division titles.
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Goff is quietly building a solid Hall of Fame case and is still an efficient quarterback capable of leading Detroit to more winning seasons. However, one analyst is worried the franchise doesn’t have a plan for the post-Goff era.
The Ringer Ranks Lions Quarterback Room No. 16 in the NFL
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The Ringer’s Diante Lee released his rankings of each NFL quarterback room, and he had the Lions near the middle of the pack at No. 16. Lee had high praise for Goff, but doesn’t believe Detroit is doing enough to prepare for the future at the most vital position.
“With a 31-year-old [Josh] Dobbs as the only backup, Detroit doesn’t seem to be doing any long-term planning at the position,” Lee wrote.
Goff will turn 32 in October and has been incredibly durable throughout his career. He hasn’t missed a game in four seasons and hasn’t had a major injury since November 2021, when an oblique injury caused him to miss some time.
However, it’s still fair to dock the Lions for not thinking about adding much youth to the quarterback room behind Goff. Undrafted free agent signal-caller Luke Altmyer showed some promise in the preseason, but he’s currently stashed on the practice squad.
Detroit did try to add a potential Goff successor in 2023 when they selected Hendon Hooker in Round 3 of the draft. Hooker spent two years with the Lions and never worked out, eventually being waived in August 2025.
The Lions don’t currently have a long-term successor for Goff on the roster, and they don’t need to think about it right now. Detroit is still in its Super Bowl window, and Goff is one of the most pivotal pieces of the team.
Once Goff shows signs of decline or calls it a career, the Lions should find his successor and move into a new era. However, that time isn’t now.
