NFL Rumors: Lions' Jared Goff Expected to be Next QB to Score $50M+ Megadeal Contract

The Detroit Lions are reportedly ready to commit to Jared Goff as their franchise quarterback moving forward.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on SportsCenter on Sunday that Goff is next in line among quarterbacks to strike a long-term contract with his franchise.

"The Lions are on record that Jared Goff, signing him to an extension, is a 'high priority' so they are working on this. The feeling around the league from the people I've talked to is that Goff will be the next quarterback to score that megadeal. You've got Tua Tagovailoa in Miami, Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville, some others like maybe Dak Prescott down the road but Goff and the Lions seem to be the closest. Nothing imminent right now but they insist this is something they've been talking about, and the Lions are committed to keeping their core together. Amon-Ra St. Brown, kept him on a huge four-year deal, right tackle Penei Sewell four-year deal, so Goff could be the next with a four-year deal. The market is pretty clear, though. You're looking at $50-plus million for a lot of these quarterbacks per year. We'll see how far the Lions are willing to go."

Goff is set to make $22.3 million in base salary next season and already earned a $5 million roster bonus. His total cash earnings for 2024 rank him 17th among quarterbacks.

Goff's new contract should more than double his expected 2024 earnings on a yearly basis. Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow have all signed deals for more than $50 million per season over the last year. While Goff isn't quite on their tier among quarterbacks, his best comp may be Kirk Cousins, who landed $45 million per season this offseason from the Atlanta Falcons.

Cousins signed that deal at age 36 coming off a torn Achilles. Goff doesn't turn 30 until October and has no major injury history; the $50 million barrier seems like a lock. Lions general manager Brad Holmes has also been open about his desire to sign Goff to a long-term deal.

"It's a high priority for us and both sides are working really, really hard," Holmes told 97.1 The Ticket last week. "These things just take time, you know."

The Lions already signed wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and offensive tackle Penei Sewell to massive long-term contracts this offseason as they try to lock up the core of their NFC North-winning team.