ESPN’s Dan Graziano dropped a “long shot” prediction that links the Detroit Lions to two very unexpected quarterbacks who could replace Jared Goff if the 2026 season goes sideways.
Is Goff’s Time in Detroit Running Out?
The Detroit Lions and coach Dan Campbell found success with Jared Goff at quarterback. But after a rocky 2025, what if 2026 is a dud? Graziano suggests a scenario where if the Lions are “frustrated by their inability to cash in on what seemed like a Super Bowl window,” they might just “break things up.” They could “move on from Goff and bring in a veteran whose situation elsewhere fell apart.” Moving on from Goff after 2026 seems early, but if he has a truly horrendous season, a drastic change might be coming.
The Strange Swap Detroit Could Make
Graziano linked two unexpected names as possible Goff replacements: Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl champion QB Jalen Hurts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pro Bowl QB Baker Mayfield. The free-agent QB market won’t be stacked, and Detroit might be too good to draft high in 2027 without a massive trade-up. This points to the trade market for veterans. The Eagles could struggle in 2026 and choose to move on from Hurts, as they did with Carson Wentz in 2021. Hurts is a proven winner, a great runner, and excels in big moments. Mayfield is a wild card: a statistically better passer and not a terrible runner, but “more wild,” potentially less safe than Goff, and without Hurts’ big-game upside.
This potential shakeup would be a very strange swap at QB, but if 2026 is a disaster for Detroit, it could be in store. Goff’s future in Detroit is uncertain, and Graziano believes either Baker Mayfield or Jalen Hurts could be surprise 2027 options for the Lions.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
Leave a Reply