Jared Goff Shuts Down Thought Lions Maintain Animosity Towards Ben Johnson

Unlike Detroit Lions fans, Jared Goff holds no ill will toward former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. 

Goff told Mark Sanchez on FOX Sports’ “Rearview” that Johnson’s decision to depart for a division rival didn’t add any extra motivation for him in the Lions’ 52-21 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday. 

“Ultimately, we just wanted to get a win – 1-1 is a whole lot better than 0-2. Certainly, in our own division, 0-2 would have been tough,” Goff said. “But yeah, we just wanted to get a win. And all the extra stuff with Dan [Campbell] and that complete factor, that there was a storyline there. However to be trustworthy with you, we did not actually give attention to that.”

Johnson’s return introduced some additional consideration to pregame warmups and postgame handshakes. When Johnson first took the sphere, he was greeted with some fairly loud boos from Lions followers. After the sport, some learn into the fast handshake that Johnson and Campbell had as some kind of feud between the 2 coaches. Through the recreation, Lions followers additionally chanted “F*** Ben Johnson!” With the Lions taking part in their starters nicely into the fourth quarter of Sunday’s blowout win, there was additionally some hypothesis that Detroit was working up the rating to stay to Johnson. 

Goff reiterated, although, that he and the Lions “have a variety of respect” for Johnson. 

“He is an in depth buddy of mine,” Goff mentioned. “He is any individual who’s carried out rather a lot for me in my profession, and I really like the dude, however, for these three hours, we wish to get after him.”

Nonetheless, Sunday was all enterprise for Goff. He admitted that he didn’t attain out to Johnson forward of Sunday’s recreation earlier than he accomplished 23 of 28 passes for 334 yards and 5 touchdowns.

“He is a really severe man, and I knew he wished to be within the zone and did not wish to hassle him,” Goff mentioned. “We’ll chat. We chatted after, briefly, and I’m certain we’ll chat all year long.”

Whereas the Lions’ offense appeared the way in which it did below Johnson over the previous couple of seasons on Sunday, it didn’t look that approach in John Morton’s first recreation because the group’s offensive coordinator. The Lions didn’t attain the top zone till the fourth quarter of their 27-13 Week 1 loss to the Inexperienced Bay Packers, solely placing up 246 complete yards of offense.

With Week 2 serving as an enormous check for Morton, the brand new offensive coordinator succeeded. That didn’t shock Goff, who mentioned Morton is a “demanding” offensive coordinator who has “every part you need.”

“With the ability to type of block out the noise that was final week and are available again this week with a greater plan and lead us in the best route this week was big,” Goff mentioned. “He is been superior, he actually has. He was in a distinct position with us in 2022. With the ability to create that relationship with him then after which him coming again now and seeing him develop into this position much more, it has been a variety of enjoyable. Him and I work hand in hand, and I do my finest for him each day. “

Goff doesn’t love every part about Morton, although. Sanchez, who hung out with Morton throughout his school profession at USC, talked about the tattoo that the coach has on his ankle, calling it “the worst.” Goff agreed. 

“It’s horrible,” Goff mentioned with amusing. “It’s fairly humorous, and guys riffing on a regular basis, like, dude, what’s that? It seems like a Harley Davidson emblem that’s like, blurred.” 

Need nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports activities account, and comply with leagues, groups and gamers to obtain a customized e-newsletter every day!