With a successful 2023 season, the Detroit Lions have successfully turned their franchise around. However, Lions quarterback Jared Goff said that the local media does not perceive things the same way.
During an appearance on Willbo’s “Trading Cards” podcast, Goff argued that the local Detroit media “relishes in the negativity” much too often, given how good the club has become.
“Hello, people. We have a good crew. “We’ve had success,” Goff told co-hosts Robbie and Will McInerny. “We can be joyful about it, celebrate it, and stop writing about how we’re always the underdog. No, teams will be gunning for us now. We won the division, and all that.
“I’m probably overthinking it in my head and it’s the chip on my shoulder and the competitor in me.”
Before 2023, the Detroit media had plenty of reasons to be negative. From 1992 to 2022, the Lions had only four 10-win seasons and were 0-8 in the playoffs.
However, in 2023, Detroit won 12 games for the first time since 1991. This resulted in the franchise hosting its first playoff game in 30 years.
Last season, the Lions won their first playoff game in 32 years, as well as several postseason games for the first time since 1957.
Lions’ Jared Goff Sends A Message to Detroit Media
It’s probable that Lions media isn’t just nasty because the city has a football team. Aside from Michigan’s recent football national championship, Detroit has not won a sports title in 16 years.
The Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Shock of the WNBA won the city’s latest championships in 2008. Since then, the Lions have achieved the NFL’s first 0-16 season, while the Red Wings’ 25-year postseason streak has ended. This NBA season, the Detroit Pistons tied the league record for consecutive defeats with 28.
The Detroit Tigers have seen ups and downs during the last two decades as well. They have lost the World Series twice and nearly tied an MLB single-season record of 119 losses in 2003.
With everything happening in one location, it’s easy to be negative. However, Goff made it apparent on “Trading Cards” that he is bored of it.
“Maybe that’s what gets clicks and that’s what sells, but it’s no longer what they need to live in,” Goff said in a statement.
Goff Revises Pre-NFC Championship Game Question
His appearance on “Trading Cards” may have been the first time Goff addressed the hatred he perceives in the media. But it’s clear that he’s felt this way for a long time.
Goff had a comedic conversation with a Detroit media member in the week leading up to the NFC championship game. The inquiry was the perceived talent disparity between the Detroit Lions and the San Francisco 49ers.
The Lions quarterback spoke about the exchange on the podcast.
“I wasn’t trying to be rude to the guy, I was just like that’s our own beat reporter that’s been with us for three years,” he said. “You have not gone to San Francisco. You know what our team looks like. Why do we always brag about how good their guys are? Discuss how good our players are. “That’s how I felt.”
The media may still not fully take the Lions seriously. However, head coach Dan Campbell informed his squad that other players and coaches in the NFL will in 2024.
“I don’t care how much we improve, what we add, or what we draft. “It’s irrelevant,” Campbell told reporters following the NFC Championship Game loss. “It’ll be challenging. Everyone in our division will be loading back up.
“You’re not hiding from anyone anymore. “Everybody will want a piece of you.”