I was not a Goff guy. Had a low opinion of him since he got strip sacked on MNF vs Green Bay his first season here. To me, he was the definition of mediocre - just the 13th/14th best QB in the league at any given time.

But early this year I really had hope. It seemed like he transformed. His big problem had always been the “oh no” throws. The awful pick 6s (Philly and Seattle last year spring to mind). But he seemed like a guy who had figured out how to Tom Brady those situations - just spike the ball at a receivers feet or throw it away immediately if the play is dead. Never lose the game because the defense fooled you once or twice. That was enough to elevate him from “QB 13” or whatever definition of mediocrity, into the 7/8 range. A step below the elite, but enough to win a game and won’t lose it.

He has positives. He is one of the best pure throwers in the NFL. If his first read is open and he throws in rhythm he might be the best in the NFL at that. Not hyperbole. The St. Brown TD last week is a perfect example. That’s his read, he had a window for it, and throws an incredible pass.

But you can tell how little faith the coaches have in him. They throw so many screens in key situations because they don’t trust him to read it out. They run on 3rd and long because they don’t trust him to read it out. He can manage the game (so many kill calls of him checking into plays) and he can deliver the ball if it’s schemes up. That’s better than most of the league because his throwing is so good. But he just can’t “make a play” with any consistency. Sure, every few weeks he pulls off something - but his play making is never the driver of the offense.

Can we really pay him after this year? He’s fairly cheap for a starting QB now. Maybe cheap enough to build a roster around and let it carry him. But if he comes a 42 million dollar QB can that work? Or is he putting you into the Kirk Cousins zone of mediocre?

  • JafarFromAfar2BEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Here’s what I think. Campbell and Holmes (as well as the players) have the utmost trust in Goff. However, it’s clear that Ben Johnson doesn’t trust him. Since the start of this season, he has gotten more and more conservative on offense. Goff is one of the highest-graded QBs on throws over 20 yards, but he rarely gets the chance to show that.

    Some of the problems I have with Ben Johnson:

    1. He hasn’t figured the Montgomery and Gibbs balance out. Gibbs is a superior player in every facet, and should be getting the majority of touches at this point in the season.

    2. He runs the ball too much in general. This is no longer a league where you run the ball to pass it, it’s the other way around now. Basically every single game this season, the opposing defense has 9/10 players in the box for 1st and 2nd down. He doesn’t punish them enough for doing that.

    3. He calls way too many tight formations. Goes hand in hand with point 2, because you constrict the field and allow the defense to have more players go after the QB. Goff isn’t good at navigating a crowded pocket when there are 7 rushers / 7 blockers (and that point holds true for every QB). That’s a big reason for the fumbles, there’s just too many defenders for him to account for.