‘Ability to overcome’ – Kurt Warner’s prediction underlines offseason quarterback problem facing Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are one-and-done in the playoffs.
Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders upset the NFC's top seed on Saturday night, securing a 45-31 win at Ford Field against a team heavily fancied for the Super Bowl.
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Despite picking up a franchise-record 15 wins in the regular season, Detroit will be left to pick up the pieces of a shattered postseason dream that ended in the divisional round.
It all left head coach Dan Campbell apologizing and taking the blame as the Lions hopes of a first ever Super Bowl disappeared.
With a long offseason ahead of them, the Lions also face some difficult questions - some perhaps around quarterback Jared Goff.
The 30-year-old had one of his worst games of the season against Washington, and gave up four turnovers.
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He lost a fumble on a strip sack in the red zone and threw three interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown on a tough night.
In the immediate aftermath, some have questioned whether the Lions might need to assess their future with Goff.
And while that might seem a knee-jerk reaction, legendary quarterback Kurt Warner actually suggested he would trust rookie Daniels over Goff before they met in Saturday's playoff game, with his prediction coming true hours later.
"This is one of those situations where, when you come back to these moments, you look at the entirety of the skill set," Warner began.
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"As great as Jared Goff is, (I) played the game very much like him, you were so subjected to everything else going on around you.
"When you have a Jayden Daniels or a Patrick Mahomes, things can be chaotic and bad around you, and they have the ability to overcome that, more so than some other quarterbacks.
"Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen have that ability. And that to me leans you in a direction that when both guys have been great in the moment, he gives you a little bit more on what he can do, based on what's needed."
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Warner's prediction was scarily accurate, with Daniels leading the Commanders to a big win over the banged-up Lions.
Defensive injuries that plagued Detroit in the final weeks of the regular season finally became too much to overcome, and Goff was unable to produce enough magic on offense to carry them through.
"Just sucks," he said after the playoff exit.
"I wish I could've played a little better. Wish I could've taken care of the ball a little bit better. Obviously, the pick-six is really the one I'd really like back.
"That was just a poor decision by me. The other ones are just sometimes a part of the game.
"But yeah, it's on me, I gotta take care of it better. Certainly, would've given ourselves a better chance to win had I done that."
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There is no doubt that Goff is a very good quarterback, having led the Los Angeles Rams to the Super Bowl in 2018, as well as the Lions to their first playoff win since 1991 last year.
But as Warner points out, he may not be on the level of the likes of Jackson and Mahomes, or perhaps even Daniels if the Commanders QB continues to grow.
And that leaves the Lions facing an awkward question before they return in 2025 - is it time to move on from Goff?
Goff garnered MVP chants from Lions fans during the season, and Campbell is fiercely loyal to his players.
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It's a trait that is the main reason behind their relative success over the last two seasons.
It appears almost certain Goff is going nowhere, but at what cost?
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