Since 2023, the top two players in passing yards and touchdown passes in the NFL are Detroit's Jared Goff (10,594 passing yards and 81 touchdown passes) and Tampa Bay's Baker Mayfield (10,083 and 81).
Goff and Mayfield have followed similar career paths, both being former No. 1 overall picks who were let go by the teams that drafted them only to thrive in new situations in Detroit and Tampa Bay. They have both been playing at an MVP-caliber level ahead of Monday's matchup at Ford Field on Monday Night Football.
"Yeah, he's a good friend. And a ton of respect for him," Goff said of Mayfield this week. "I think we both kind of - I don't want to speak for him but - can recognize that there's some dark days in that transition and coming out the other side of it for both of us. A lot of respect from my end for sure and I hope he'd say the same. But yeah, I'm a big fan of his and he's done a great job."
Mayfield does have a similar respect for Goff.
"I love Jared. Great guy," Mayfield told ESPN this week. "Like I have told you guys before from somebody that can relate to needing a fresh start somewhere else, it is good to see that story. Everybody loves a good underdog story or whatever it is, go through adversity, come out the other side stronger. That is life and that is what football can teach you."