On Monday's airing of "The Pat McAfee Show," former Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky praised Jared Goff's impressive start to the 2026-27 season.
While the Lions' (3-2) strugglesome defense and record-setting play by running back Jahmyr Gibbs have drawn most of the national attention in Detroit's first five weeks, Goff has consistently posted staggering passing numbers that often go overlooked.
"Jared's been great this year. He's been overshadowed by how poor they've been on defense, conversation-wise. They scored I think seven straight drives, because they didn't show up in the first quarter. I don't believe they scored a point in the first quarter (at Arizona), and then they just went on this run. They were ultra-aggressive on fourth down. They went for
it a bunch on fourth down...
"Jared's playing in the NFC. Jared Goff as a quarterback. I would tell you the only guys that are playing quarterback through the first five weeks definitively better than Jared Goff would be Brock Purdy, and that's about it. Maybe Bryce Young. But as far as quarterbacks that have been better through five weeks, I probably would tell you only Brock Purdy that I could definitively say," Orlovsky said.
"Jared Goff has been great this year..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 12, 2026
The only guy that is playing better quarterback in the NFC is Brock Purdy" ~ @danorlovsky7 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/eMbM6XtGr4
Through five games, Goff has thrown for 1,485 yards and 12 touchdowns with no interceptions. Goff is completing 67% of his passes and he had a rushing touchdown against the Cardinals on Sunday.
Goff is just the second quarterback in NFL history to throw for at least 12 touchdowns in the first five games without committing an interception, joining Russell Wilson in 2019.
As the Lions enter their Week 6 bye, Goff's accomplishments so far this season are nothing short of spectacular and arguably deserve more praise from national media outlets beyond Orlovsky.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Former Lions QB Dan Orlovsky praises Jared Goff's start to 2026 season
