Should Jared Goff Risk His Health in Preseason? Hell No.
Chemistry matters. Every rep in practice builds timing, communication, and the kind of cohesion that separates good offenses from great ones. But here’s the thing about preseason games: they’re supposed to be meaningless, yet somehow they always manage to hurt the teams that need it least.
Sure, preseason gives you a taste of real football that practice simply cannot replicate. When you’re going against an unpredictable opponent, the training wheels come off. Players hit harder. The risk goes up. And for a franchise that has watched too many seasons derail before they even started, that should terrify you.
The Lions have been smart about this. Goff hasn’t played a preseason game since 2022, and even then, it was a single drive during the opening game. Smart move. An injury to your starting quarterback in August is the kind of Lions luck that haunts you through February.
But this offseason feels different, doesn’t it? Last season was the first time this team actually regressed in terms of record. They looked and played complacent. Now Taylor Decker, David Montgomery, and Alex Anzalone are gone. The joint practices that had become routine since 2022 are scrapped for the first time. Even the schedule release video had a no-nonsense approach.
If there was ever a year to prioritize every ounce of chemistry you can squeeze out of preseason, this might be it. But does that include risking Jared Goff? Not a chance.
The Risk Isn’t Worth the Reward
Who exactly is Goff supposed to build chemistry with in preseason? Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams? Those guys could run routes in their sleep at this point. Isaac TeSlaa and Greg Dortch? Nice to see, but that’s not your starting lineup come September.
Isiah Pacheco might get some looks, but Jahmyr Gibbs is expected to be the workhorse and he’s not wasting his legs on exhibition football. To get real value out of Goff playing preseason, you’d need to trot out all your skill position starters. That’s a lot of risk for very little reward.
The only offensive starters who should see preseason action are the offensive linemen. That unit has been completely reworked with Penei Sewell’s move to left tackle and the additions of Blake Miller and Cade Mays. Communication breakdowns between those five players were arguably the biggest reason for offensive struggles last season.
Sewell hasn’t played a preseason game since 2022, but this is different. Five new guys working together need real reps against real competition. One drive. Maybe two. Get the timing down and get out.
Some Risks Are Worth Taking. This Isn’t One of Them.
Look, this team is trying to reset its mentality and get back to the hungry, physical brand of football that got them to success. But there’s a difference between being aggressive and being stupid.
Goff is the engine of this offense. He’s proven, he’s reliable, and he’s the kind of steady presence that allows the coaching staff to be creative. You don’t risk that in August for the sake of a few extra chemistry reps.
Could we see some starters in preseason? Absolutely. Should Goff be one of them? Not if the front office has learned anything from watching other franchises lose their seasons before they start.
This is still the same front office that bubble-wrapped their stars when it mattered. That wisdom shouldn’t change just because the vibes feel different this year.
Do you think Goff needs preseason reps to get this offense rolling, or are we overthinking what should be an easy call? Let me know in the comments.
