A proposed area of improvement for each projected starter on Detroit Lions' offense
At the end of each campaign, as NFL players head into their offseason, they go through exit interviews. Often included in that process is a personal improvement plan, suggestions on how to take their game to the next level.
As the Detroit Lions prepare to report for training camp later this month, we thought we’d explore potential areas of improvement for each of the team’s starters.
We’re going to start with Detroit’s record-breaking offense, which led the league in scoring while posting the most points in franchise history in 2024.
Quarterback Jared Goff
Where to improve: Protecting the ball
The final memory we have of Goff’s 2024 season was tossing a trio of interceptions and losing a fumble in a Divisional Round loss to the Commanders.
That mistake-filled outing certainly wasn’t reflective of his year, which included career bests for completion percentage and passer rating. Still, Goff did throw 12 picks despite attempting his fewest passes per game since his rookie year. That resulted in a 2.2% interception rate, his worst in four seasons with the Lions.
It is worth continued acknowledgment that interceptions aren’t always on the quarterback. There are missed blocks, deflected passes and route miscommunications. Still, Pro Football Focus assessed Goff with 17 turnover-worthy plays last season. That ranked bottom-10, on par with rookie Drake Maye and Will Levis, one of the league’s worst starters.
Running back Jahmyr Gibbs
Where to improve: Develop a wheel route