He just doesn't quit. Seriously. Jared Goff went into Soldier Field for the 2025-26 regular-season finale against the Chicago Bears and basically reminded everyone why the Detroit Lions gave him that massive extension. It wasn't the cleanest game you'll ever see—not by a long shot—but it was exactly the kind of gritty, "get the job done" performance that has defined his tenure in Detroit.
Goff finished the day with an 86.5 passer rating.
Now, if you’re just looking at that number in a vacuum, you might think, "Eh, that’s okay, but is it elite?" Honestly, you've got to look at the context. This was a game where the Lions blew a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter. The momentum had completely shifted. Caleb Williams was surging. The Chicago crowd was deafening. And yet, when the game was on the line at 16-16, Goff found Amon-Ra St. Brown for a 26-yard gain that put Jake Bates in position for the game-winning 42-yard field goal.
That throw? That's what the rating doesn't always tell you.
Why the Jared Goff Passer Rating Today Tells Only Half the Story
If you’re obsessed with the box score, you saw 27 completions on 42 attempts for 331 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. That single pick is what dragged his rating down into the 80s. But look at the total season. Jared Goff finished the 2025 regular season with a 103.4 cumulative passer rating.
That is massive.
He ended the year ranked second in the entire NFL in both passing yards (4,564) and passing touchdowns (34). People keep waiting for the "regression" or for him to look like the guy the Rams gave up on, but it's just not happening. Even with an offensive line that struggled at times—ranking near the bottom of the league in pass-block win rate—Goff stayed in the pocket and delivered.
A Season of Highs and Lows
Goff's year was a bit of a roller coaster, which is why his "today" rating feels so different from his season average.
- The Peak: Remember Week 2 against the Bears? He posted a near-perfect 156.0 rating. Five touchdowns. Zero picks.
- The Valley: The Week 11 struggle against the Eagles, where he dipped to a 60.1.
- The Consistency: He had seven games this season with a rating over 110.
Basically, when Goff is protected, he is a surgeon. When he’s under fire, he’s still pretty good, but that’s when the "Jared Goof" moments—as some fans lovingly (or not so lovingly) call them—tend to pop up.
The St. Brown Factor
You can't talk about Goff’s efficiency without mentioning Amon-Ra St. Brown. Today, St. Brown hauled in 11 catches for 139 yards. It’s almost like they have a telepathic connection at this point. When Goff is scanning the field and things get muddy, he knows exactly where the "Sun God" is going to be.
This connection is why Goff’s passer rating today stayed respectable despite the interception. He’s leaning on his playmakers. He’s not trying to be Mahomes and scramble for 20 yards; he’s playing the system, hitting his check-downs, and taking the deep shot when Ben Johnson dials it up.
Breaking Down the Numbers
To really understand where Goff stands, you have to look at his situational splits from this season. He was actually better in the first half of games (111.3 rating) than the second half (99.2). That’s a bit of a concern for Lions fans who saw that lead evaporate against Chicago, but his ability to execute the two-minute drill remains top-tier. In the final two minutes of halves this year, his rating sits at a cool 104.4.
What Most People Get Wrong About Goff’s Performance
The biggest misconception is that Goff is just a "system quarterback." People say anyone could put up those numbers with Ben Johnson calling plays. But honestly, look at how many times he was hit this year. He was sacked 38 times. That’s a lot of turf for a guy who isn't exactly known for his mobility.
Despite the pressure, he kept the turnovers relatively low—only 8 interceptions on 578 attempts. That’s an elite interception rate. It shows a level of veteran maturity that the Lions absolutely needed while the rest of the roster dealt with injuries and defensive lapses.
Actionable Insights for the Postseason
Even though the Lions ended the season 9-8 and missed out on the divisional crown to the Bears, Goff’s individual performance is a huge silver lining. If you're looking at what this means for the future or your fantasy dynasty leagues:
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- Trust the Volume: Goff is a high-volume passer now. He averaged 38 attempts per game in the second half of the season.
- The Home/Road Split is Real: While he was okay today in Chicago, he is consistently better under the roof at Ford Field.
- Pressure is the Key: If you’re betting on or analyzing a Goff-led game, check the injury report for the offensive line. His rating drops nearly 30 points when he’s pressured on more than 35% of dropbacks.
Goff has officially entered that "Matthew Stafford" zone in Detroit. He’s the guy who will keep you in every game, put up massive stats, and occasionally break your heart with a weird turnover—but at the end of the day, there aren't five other QBs you'd rather have leading a game-winning drive. He finished the season as the NFL's second-leading passer for a reason.
Keep an eye on the playoff seeding, because while the Lions are out, Goff has proven he’s still one of the most efficient distributors in the game today.