The silence before the snap in Detroit holds a different weight this offseason. It’s not the familiar hum of Ben Johnson’s offense Jared Goff has orchestrated with near-perfect rhythm the past few years. It’s the quiet tension of learning a new cadence, indeed, a subtle shift in the play-call symphony. That’s the kind of change that can make even a Pro Bowl QB feel like a rookie deciphering his first NFL playbook again. Undoubtedly, Goff, fresh off a career-high 72.4% completion rate and 4,629 yards (2nd in NFL), knows this dance.
“Hey, everybody, how are you doing? Welcome back,” Goff began, the comfort of the podium contrasting with the newness surrounding him. “We talked at least the last few years. And we’ve talked about just the comfort level of having the same coordinator, a lot of the same weapon, the same.” That familiar landscape shifted when Johnson departed, paving the way for John “Johnny Mo” Morton’s promotion to OC. When asked about the ‘rating’ or the newness of learning Morton’s ways, Goff’s response was a blend of honesty and competitive relish.
Credit – Instagram
“Yeah, sure, it’s fun. It’s a challenge and it’s new stuff,” he admitted. “It’s new communication. And it’s different ways he likes to do things and learning each other.” He doubled down on the positive spin: “a fun challenge…something that we’re working through every day and something that’s fun to overcome and get closer to being where we want to be.” This isn’t just about learning new terminology.
It’s about syncing wavelengths with a coach who understands Goff’s aversion to red meat (thanks to an enzyme deficiency) almost as well as his preference for attacking Cover 2. It’s about maintaining the near-flawless execution that saw Goff post a 111.8 passer rating and become the first Lions QB to be an MVP finalist.
While he might fumble the controller playing ‘Madden’ (‘Can’t read the virtual D, bro!’), Goff’s real-life processing power – memorizing every TD target? Legendary is tuned for this challenge. Reporters probed: How noticeable are the changes under Morton? Would the casual Ford Field fan, maybe distracted by a second helping of coney dip, even spot the difference? Goff painted a picture of evolution, not revolution.
Subtle shifts, same Goff swagger
“Yeah, I’m sure a casual fan would notice some of it,” he conceded. “Some of it’s different, some of it’s the same.” He highlighted Morton’s deep well of experience – “He’s got a long background of stuff he’s liked that he’s done” – and the crucial carryover from 2022, when Morton was a senior offensive assistant during the Lions’ offensive surge: “He was here for a year through a lot of our success, so there will be a lot of that carryover. And some new.” Goff masterfully reframed the change as standard NFL procedure, a subtle dig at the perceived upheaval.
“Well, it won’t be unless you guys write about it,” he quipped. “I mean, you guys have pretty good control on whether that’ll be a storyline.” Moreover, he quickly shifted to substance: “To answer your question, I don’t know. Well, I mean, we’ll see. Yeah, I—I—I love Shep. And I love Johnny Mo. I’ve got familiarity with Johnny.” Indeed. And the core task?
Moreover, he acknowledged the core task: “Some of it’s changing, some of it’s remaining the same. The biggest challenge is just getting on the same page with what we like. And we’re constantly working through that.” It’s the universal language of football adaptation. “No different than any other new coach here. Learning what we like, what we’ve done. Getting used to the way Dan wants to play games.” His final verdict? Pure, confident Goff: “Yeah, we’ll be fine. Johnny’s done a hell of a job up to this point. He is only getting better.” That’s true.
As the chants of ‘JA-RED GOFF!’ prepare to echo through Ford Field once more, the QB and his new coordinator are writing their next chapter, one meticulously practiced rep at a time, aiming to keep the Lions’ roar echoing all the way through a brutal schedule and deep into January. The playbook might have some new pages, but the franchise quarterback’s confidence? That remains a constant bestseller in Detroit.
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