The Detroit Lions under offensive coordinator Ben Johnson don’t use pre-snap motion a ton in the passing game, but when they do, it’s generally effective and explosive. Through the first three games of the 2023 NFL season, per Sports Info Solutions, quarterback Jared Goff has 45 dropbacks with pre-snap motion, which ranks 24th in the league. But with motion, he’s completed 31 of 41 passes for 357 yards, 231 yards, three touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 115.6 — fourth-best in the league.
One reason that the Lions are so good with motion is the precision of their receiver splits and concepts. Johnson sets Goff up to hit open reads with different motion ideas, including the speed motion that has taken the NFL by storm… especially in Miami.
