At this point, Jared Goff is officially more Detroit Lion than Los Angeles Ram, and his perspective on facing his old team has changed right along with it.
After multiple emotional matchups against the Rams over the last two seasons, including a playoff showdown in 2023 and the 2024 season opener, the Lions’ quarterback says that chapter of his career doesn’t hit quite the same anymore.
“Not so much anymore. No,” Goff said as quoted by Lions OnSI when asked if the fire still burns facing Sean McVay’s squad. “We played them in that playoff game, was such a big deal. The next year, played them again and that felt like even less. So now, it’s even further removed… they’re a really good team and we’ll have our hands full.”
Detroit won both of those matchups, and now, as the Lions (8–5) head west for another NFC showdown with Los Angeles (10–3), the storyline is less about revenge and more about two heavyweights battling for playoff position.
Both Sides Won the Trade — And Goff Knows It
Goff’s Detroit chapter has been marked by resilience: a new play-caller in Dan Campbell, a battered offensive line, and a tight end room hit hard by injuries. Yet he’s kept the Lions afloat and has played some of the most efficient football of his career.
Meanwhile, Matthew Stafford continues lighting up defenses for the Rams.
“I’ve got so much respect for those guys over there… their defense is really impressive… Matthew’s playing really well,” Goff said. “He’s one of those guys you like to watch on tape.”
That’s notable, the QB once traded for Stafford now calls him one of his favorite film studies.
A Changed Rams Team — and One Goff Respects
Though Goff spent five seasons in L.A., the team he’ll face Sunday is hardly recognizable from his time there.
“They’re so much different than when I was there, couple coordinators removed at that point,” Goff explained. “Coach Shula… has become a damn good coordinator… they’re all on the same page, they play really sound football… and the D-line gets after the quarterback.”
He singled out what Detroit coaches have also praised, the Rams’ discipline, physicality, and the rise of defensive stars like Jared Verse and Kobe Turner.
A Massive NFC Matchup Awaits
Both the Lions and Rams have been playoff-caliber teams since the blockbuster Stafford-Goff trade in 2021, and both franchises believe they’re built for January.
This time, though, the stakes are simple: Detroit needs to stay alive in a tightening NFC race, and Los Angeles is trying to hold onto the No. 1 seed.
No revenge. No drama.
Just two of the NFC’s best are battling for positioning, and a quarterback who has fully embraced his Detroit identity.
