The NFL is constantly buzzing with debates about quarterbacks, and this offseason is no exception. After leading the Detroit Lions to their first playoff victory in 32 years and making it to the NFC Championship Game, Jared Goff signed a lucrative four-year, $212 million contract extension with the Lions. The question now is whether Goff, the top overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, has become one of the elite quarterbacks in the league, perhaps even surpassing other top signal-callers like Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals. On a recent episode of “The Herd,” Colin Cowherd shared his thoughts on why he would currently choose Goff over Burrow.
Cowherd cited Burrow’s injury history as a concern, noting that the Bengals quarterback has had four straight years with injuries. In comparison, Goff has shown durability throughout his career, rarely getting hurt. Despite acknowledging that Burrow may be the better quarterback overall, Cowherd expressed unease about Burrow’s ability to stay healthy, particularly noting his injury-ridden Septembers and the need to factor in his injury proneness when evaluating his performance. While he did acknowledge Burrow’s talent and mobility as standout qualities, Cowherd ultimately leaned towards Goff due to his concerns about Burrow’s health.
In addition to Burrow, Cowherd also mentioned other quarterbacks he would choose Goff over, including Jalen Hurts, Dak Prescott, Jordan Love, Brock Purdy, and Kirk Cousins. However, Cowherd specified that there are certain quarterbacks he would not choose Goff over, such as reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers, and Matthew Stafford, who Goff was traded for in early 2021. Despite his comparisons and preferences, Cowherd’s analysis ultimately comes down to weighing a quarterback’s performance against their injury history and overall impact on the team.
Burrow’s career has been marked by highs and lows in terms of health, with notable injuries cutting short his rookie season and the 2023 season. Despite these setbacks, Burrow bounced back in 2021 as the NFL Comeback Player of the Year, leading the Bengals to a surprise Super Bowl appearance and excelling in various statistical categories. With a strong track record of performance when healthy, including playoff success and leading the team to the AFC Championship Game, Burrow has established himself as a formidable quarterback in the league.
On the other hand, Goff has had his share of successes and struggles in the NFL. With notable achievements like reaching the Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams after the 2018 season and posting strong numbers in the 2023 season with the Lions, Goff has proven himself as a capable quarterback. However, his performance notably declined in his final seasons with the Rams before being traded to the Lions in exchange for Stafford. Looking ahead, Goff and the Lions will face tough competition within the NFC North, making the upcoming season an important test of Goff’s abilities and the team’s overall performance.
As the quarterback debates continue to unfold in the NFL, the performances of players like Goff and Burrow will continue to be scrutinized and compared. With factors like injury history, performance under pressure, and overall impact on the team coming into play, the quarterback position remains one of the most high-profile and closely watched positions in the league. Whether Goff can maintain his success with the Lions and solidify his place among the elite quarterbacks, or if Burrow can overcome injury concerns and continue to lead the Bengals to success, remains to be seen as the offseason progresses and teams gear up for the new season.
