After the Detroit Lions<\/a> finished the 2025 season at the bottom of the NFC North with a 9-8 record and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2022, fans searched for a scapegoat. For many, that blame fell on Lions quarterback Jared Goff<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n But a closer look reveals the truth: Goff was far from the root of the Lions problems.<\/span><\/p>\n Jared Goff’s 2025 stats illustrate a QB who is anything but the problem. He ended the season with a 68% completion rate, 4,564 yards, 34 touchdowns, and a 105.5 QBR, making him objectively one of the best QBs in the league. E<\/span>ven when other players on the field fell short, he consistently produced yardage and created scoring opportunities.<\/span>\u200b<\/span><\/p>\n Goff was not a liability; he was one of the reasons the Lions playoff chances stayed alive as long as they did. This was an incredible feat, considering Detroit faced numerous roster issues.<\/span><\/p>\n As the season went on, it became clear the Detroit Lions had lost their identity, and it started on defense.<\/span><\/p>\n \u200b<\/span>Early on in the season, Detroit\u2019s depth slowly whittled away, more specifically in the trenches and secondary. Defensive tackle Alim McNeill<\/a>, who suffered a knee injury late last season, never returned to his normal level of play, making his impact up front limited. Several key players never even saw the field this season, including DT Levi Onwuzurike<\/a>, who tore his ACL during training camp, defensive end Josh Paschal<\/a>, recovering from a back injury, and cornerback Ennis Rakestraw, who underwent shoulder surgery.<\/span><\/p>\n \u200b<\/span>These absences forced Detroit to rely on backup players and short-term strategic fixes to address gaps in its roster. Despite their efforts, this approach did nothing to address the actual problems.<\/span><\/p>\n Injuries began to plague the secondary, causing the rotating safeties and cornerbacks to miscommunicate and make coverage mistakes.<\/span><\/p>\n \u200b<\/span>This combination led to a defense that struggled to contain explosive plays or make quick stops, putting even more pressure on the offense to score on every drive to stay in the game.<\/span><\/p>\n Just last year, Detroit had one of the best offensive lines in the league, but, like the defense, it slowly disintegrated.<\/span><\/p>\n \u200b<\/span>Injuries to the interior made both the run game and pass protection unstable. This past June, center Frank Ragnow<\/a> announced his retirement\u00a0from the NFL. Six months later, he announced he would be coming back to the Detroit Lions. But his second stint with the Lions didn\u2019t last long: before he could even set foot on an NFL field, he was diagnosed with a Grade 3 hamstring strain, leaving the Lions right back where they started.<\/span><\/p>\n \u200b<\/span>With constant changes in the interior, timing was disrupted. This not only stalled the run game but also eliminated immediate routes and collapsed the pocket, posing a major issue for Goff.<\/span><\/p>\n The OL’s weaknesses forced the offense to make more predictable plays, making it far easier for opposing defenses to take control late in the game.<\/span><\/p>\n \u200b<\/span>One blow to the Lions offense that has not been discussed enough is the loss of tight end Sam LaPorta<\/a>. After playing just nine games, LaPorta\u2019s season came to an end after he suffered a back injury in the Week 10 matchup against the Washington Commanders<\/a>. Losing LaPorta meant Goff lost one of his most reliable weapons over the middle and a target on third downs and in the red zone.<\/span><\/p>\n \u200b<\/span>Without LaPorta, Detroit’s playbook shrank and left fewer reliable options when Goff was under pressure. Drives grew longer, efficiency in the red zone declined, and it became increasingly difficult for the offense to convert on third down.<\/span><\/p>\n \u200b<\/span>While Detroit\u2019s offense continued to be one of the top units in terms of yardage and points, numbers don\u2019t always tell the whole story.<\/span><\/p>\nJared Goff Played at an Elite Level<\/h3>\n
Injuries Damaged Their Defensive Identity<\/b><\/h3>\n
Offensive Line Injuries Disrupted Rhythm<\/b>\u200b<\/span><\/h3>\n
\u200b<\/span>Detroit Lions Lost Star TE, Sam LaPorta<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
\u200b<\/span>Offensive Coordinator Changes Disrupted Rhythm<\/b><\/h3>\n