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One NFL analyst points to something in Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff's contract that hardly anyone is talking about.
It’s do or die for the Detroit Lions, who are in their final season with Jared Goff before the Pro Bowl quarterback’s contract will constrain the rest of the roster.
Goff’s $32.6 million cap hit accounts for 11.7% of the team’s cap space. But in 2026, Goff’s cap hit explodes to $69.6 million and a 22.7% share of the cap space.
Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are the only two quarterbacks who have won Super Bowls with a cap hit percentage over 12% since 2000.
Goff carries cap hits of $54.6 million and $61.6 million after the 2026 season final three years of his contract. The Lions and Goff will have to iron out those cap hits through either an extension, restructure or a potential parting of ways.
If the latter is the case, Pro Football Network’s Mark Stolte identified who the Lions may chase, predicting Detroit to take Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The best Big 12 quarterback prospect for next year’s draft, Leavitt has garnered immense respect in the scouting community.
“NFL scouts consistently see Leavitt as the best NFL prospect in the Big 12. He’s entering his third year in college after transferring from Michigan State,” ESPN’ Pete Thamel wrote.
Jared Goff Facing Defining Year With Lions
While Goff has surfaced as a top-10 quarterback talent in the league since arriving in Detroit, he must prove his worth considering the massive salary hike he is poised for.
While the quarterback market has inflated in recent years, few quarterbacks have truly proved that worth — and the Lions have appeared to be at least considering the future beyond Goff.
In last year’s draft, Detroit selected Hendon Hooker 68th overall in the third round. A top-75 pick is nothing to shrug at. That’s a potential future starter.
If the Lions truly believe Goff is secured for the next three seasons, they would have never spent a pick at quarterback.
However, there are questions about the ceiling of the franchise with a quarterback on his pay grade — and he must prove his worth without the tutelage of Ben Johnson.
Hooker may not be the answer, but he is surely a sign of a potential firewall prepared if Goff proves not to live up to his contract.
Sam Leavitt Wins Notable Award Ahead of Final Collegiate Season
Since transferring from Michigan State, Leavitt has proved he’s among the top quarterbacks in college football.
Named the preseason Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. Leavitt enters his second season with the Sun Devils after playing a year with the Spartans.
“Leavitt starred for Arizona State in his first year under center, leading the Sun Devils to the Big 12 championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff. He finished the season throwing for 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions, and also ran for 443 yards and five touchdowns,” Spartans Wire’s Robert Bondy wrote.
With Arizona State deemed as a favorite for the Big 12 title again this season, Leavitt is poised to contend for a title without the efforts of running back Cam Skattebo, who finished fourth in Heisman voting and was selected in the fourth round of April’s draft by the New York Giants.
Trevor Squire is a sports journalist covering the NFL and NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Timberwolves and Milwaukee Bucks. Trevor studied journalism at the University of Minnesota — Twin Cities, making stops at the Star Tribune and the St. Paul Pioneer Press. You can reach him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @trevordsquire. More about Trevor Squire
