One of the biggest changes from Detroit Lions training camp from 2021 to this year is the more confident and comfortable play of quarterback Jared Goff. It’s been evident from the first day and continues to build despite the Lions defense’s best efforts to slow him down.
Having a full season under his belt and experience working with both head coach Dan Campbell and new offensive coordinator Ben Johnson last year has definitely helped. Johnson, who took over more offensive play design and coaching responsibility midway through last season, is very impressed with the growth from the veteran quarterback.
“Yeah, I would say that we’ve tried to make him uncomfortable,” Johnson stated before Friday’s practice session. “It’s something we talk about with all the offensive players is getting comfortable being uncomfortable. It’s been a challenge to rattle him. We’ve thrown some new concepts at him that we didn’t do in the springtime, and he’s handled it really well.”
That doesn’t mean Johnson and Campbell will stop trying to push Goff. They’re very happy with the more composed and confident Goff, however.
“I know Coach (Campbell) talked about just the offense as a whole being able to handle pressure and as the intensity goes up and the heat of the moment of the game goes up, that the heart rate goes down. I think he (Goff) kind of is the example for that for the rest of the group because he has done a really nice job just staying steady, and he is focused. I’m really proud of where he’s at after a week and a half.”
The pressure amps up in the next week with the preseason kicking off next Friday against the Atlanta Falcons.
