Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell first encountered Jared Goff in a high-stakes NFC Championship game on January 26, 2019.
At the time, Campbell was the tight ends coach for the New Orleans Saints, and Goff was leading the Los Angeles Rams at quarterback.
The controversial game, held in the notoriously loud Caesars Superdome, ended in a 26-23 overtime victory for the Rams, earning them a trip to the Super Bowl. In that intense atmosphere, Goff threw for 297 yards despite facing relentless pressure, taking six hits and a sack.
Reflecting on the game during a recent appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Campbell recalled his initial impressions of Goff.
“I just saw the environment, the type of pressure that he was under, and just thinking, ‘This guy won’t break.’ I would’ve sworn he would’ve broke. I’m just like, ‘This guy can’t handle this.’ I don’t know many quarterbacks that could,” Campbell said.
“It was impressive, man. That’s the type of thing that sticks in your memory. You don’t forget those moments. You’re like, ‘I don’t know this guy, but I know enough sitting here watching him on the sideline that this guy has found a way to win and he just won’t give up.’ And he just keeps coming back for more. And there’s a quiet competitiveness about him that, man, you want that guy on your team.”
Now, Campbell and Goff find themselves paired together on the Detroit Lions as one of the best coach-quarterback duos in the league.
Knowing Goff so well, Campbell couldn’t help but draw comparisons to another quarterback he’s worked closely with – Drew Brees, who led the Saints to their only Super Bowl title during his tenure.
“He’s playing at a high level. Look, I was fortunate to be around Drew Brees as a player and as a coach for a combination of six years,” Campbell said. “When you’re around that type of player, it’s rare and to see the professionalism, the work that goes into it, the process, the competitiveness and there’s things about Goff that remind me of him.
“He just, he’s got a workman’s attitude, he’s blue-collar in that way. A quiet confidence, he doesn’t get frazzled. He’s tough. Man’s, he’s seeing it, and because of that, we put a lot on him.”
Though Goff and Brees differ in stature – Brees standing at 6-foot (max) and Goff at 6-foot-4 – Campbell pointed out that they share key traits.
Brees was known for his quick decision-making, precision, and calm under pressure, qualities Goff has exhibited during Detroit’s strong start to the season.
“I think it’s the accuracy, man. I think it’s the ability to process what the defense is doing to you and in a split second, to make an accurate throw,” Campbell said. “I think to be able to, I said this the other day, what certain players have in their head and what they’ve got in their heart is what separates guys in this league.
“There’s a lot of players that have ability, but when you start talking about the quarterback position, man, if you don’t have it up there and you don’t have that drive and that competitiveness and that spirit, man, you’ll break. You’ll crumble. You can’t do it, there’s too much pressure.
“There’s too much put on you, and our guy’s got that. He’s a winner, man. Your first description of a good quarterback is a guy that can win, and this guy’s a winner. So, I’m glad we’ve got him.”
At 5-1, the Lions are clearly one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl.
Many fans and analysts gave up on Goff years ago. However, thanks to the traits and characteristics that Campbell spoke about, Goff has shut all of his doubters up and is playing at an MVP level.
What are your thoughts on MCDC’s high praise of Goff? … Do you agree with the Drew Brees comparisons?
More importantly, can you see the Lions actually winning the Super Bowl this season???
