Jared Goff has rejected claims that he had a key role in Dan Campbell’s late-game decision to go for it on fourth-and-1 against the Green Bay Packers.
The controversy erupted after Richard Sherman, a Prime Video commentator and former NFL player, revealed a behind-the-scenes exchange on his podcast between Goff and the coaching staff concerning the crucial fourth-down call. However, Goff has now clarified the misconception, stating that the choice was ultimately Campbell’s alone.
The Controversial Report: Sherman’s Podcast Revelation
Following Thursday night’s thrilling win over the Packers, Richard Sherman revealed a postgame conversation that shed light on how the Lions’ decision-making unfolded on the sideline. Sherman recounted how Andrew Whitworth, a fellow Prime Video analyst, asked Goff about the interaction with Campbell before the crucial fourth-and-1 play.
Sherman explained that Goff was on the sidelines with the coaching staff, where Campbell had initially planned to kick a field goal to take the lead.
“Jared basically comes over, and Dan’s on the headset, you know, telling him, ‘Hey, we’re kicking it, and just get the Field Goal team ready. We’re gonna stand here. We’re gonna talk it through, but we’re gonna kick it,’” Sherman recalled.
“And Jared, dejected, is like, ‘Man, man! I want to go.’ And Dan Campbell just looks at him and says, ‘You want to do it? [expletive] it, we’re going for it.’”
This conversation seemed to suggest that Goff’s desire to go for the fourth down play swayed Campbell’s decision. Sherman’s podcast quickly gained traction, and many began to believe that Goff’s influence played a key role in the game-changing call.
Jared Goff Responds: “I Didn’t Convince Him”
However, Jared Goff has now set the record straight. During a radio appearance, the Lions quarterback was asked about the reported exchange between him and Campbell. Goff was quick to clarify that he had no role in convincing Campbell to take the aggressive approach.
“I think someone said that I had convinced him to do it,” Goff said.
“I’m like, no, I didn’t do any convincing with him. He does that all on his own and we’re fired up when he does it. It had nothing to do with me. I walked over there, asked him what the plan was, he was deliberating it and told us we were gonna go for it.”
Goff emphasized that the decision was ultimately Campbell’s, and he had no influence over the outcome. While the quarterback was clearly eager to know the game plan, it was Campbell’s decision-making and leadership that led to the bold call, not Goff’s push.
Dan Campbell’s Bold Decision-Making
The discussion about Goff’s role in the fourth-down decision highlights the trust and confidence that exists between Campbell and his players. While Goff’s comments suggest he wasn’t the driving force behind the call, they also reveal a broader point: Campbell’s decision to go for it on fourth down, even in a high-pressure moment, was consistent with his coaching philosophy.
Campbell’s willingness to take calculated risks and trust his team in critical situations is one of the hallmarks of his coaching style. His aggressive play-calling has often paid dividends, and this late-game call against the Packers was no exception. Despite some external confusion about Goff’s influence, Campbell remained steadfast in his belief that going for it was the right call.
