Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff didn’t even flinch when asked by Doug Karsch and Scott Anderson of 97.1 The Ticket about the state of the Lions’ defense; in fact, he practically jumped at the chance to talk about it.
Asked after Monday’s practice if he could tell Detroit’s defense is better this season, Goff didn’t bother with a long explanation.
“Oh, hell yeah. Oh yeah.”
From there, the conversation flowed. Goff explained why this year’s unit looks even more dangerous.
“They’re much more confident and comfortable. I think mostly just because they’re a year older and all their dudes are back. It’s fun to practice against, it is. It’s a challenge. They make it really hard, Coach Shep’s making it really hard on me. Those two guys in the backend with Kerby and Branch, I can’t imagine a better two to practice against every day. DJ Reed’s been a tremendous addition for us, from leadership to pure ability. Obviously the linebackers have done great, and then Hutch has been pretty unbelievable.”
A Veteran Quarterback’s Respect
When a quarterback who’s been to a Super Bowl and seen just about every defensive look in the book says “hell yeah” without hesitation, you pay attention.
The mention of Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph as possibly the NFL’s best safety duo in practice is telling. Branch is coming off a Pro Bowl season after thriving in a full-time safety role, while Joseph was snubbed of a Pro Bowl nod, but was named a 1st-Team All-Pro after leading the NFL with nine interceptions.
DJ Reed Already Fitting Right In
Goff’s praise for DJ Reed shows how quickly the former Jet has earned respect in Detroit. Reed’s leadership and on-field play have given the secondary another layer of confidence heading into 2025.
The “Hutch” Factor
And then there’s Aidan Hutchinson, who’s been so disruptive in camp that Dan Campbell had to implement the “Hutch rule”, allowing plays to continue even after Hutchinson clearly notches a sack in practice. Without it, the offense wouldn’t get much work done.
Why It Matters
Defensive Coordinator Kelvin Sheppard has clearly dialed up the intensity, and Goff is feeling it in practice. This isn’t just training camp hype, Detroit’s defense looks like it’s taken a real step forward. And if the NFL’s top-scoring offense from 2024 is facing that kind of challenge every day, the Lions might just be gearing up for their most complete season yet.
Bottom Line
Jared Goff isn’t just optimistic about the defense, he’s convinced. And if he’s right, 2025 could be a year where Detroit dominates on both sides of the ball.