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Report: Goff not in immediate danger of losing starting job

Rey Del Rio / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff isn't in immediate danger of being benched despite strong public criticism from head coach Dan Campbell, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Campbell said Goff "needs to step up more than he has" following Detroit's sixth straight loss last Sunday. He added that all Lions players have to be better to end the losing streak.

Goff had a solid start to the season following his trade from the Los Angeles Rams, completing 68.8% of his passes for 584 yards and five touchdowns against two interceptions in his first two games with Detroit.

But he's quickly regressed over the last month, throwing for just two scores while committing four turnovers. He's also averaged just 6.35 yards per passing attempt while being sacked 11 times.

Complicating Goff's status as Detroit's starter is money and a lack of experienced alternatives.

The 27-year-old has $26.15 million guaranteed for 2022 and can't be cut or traded after the season without the Lions incurring a significant dead-money hit.

David Blough, meanwhile, is the only other quarterback on the Lions' roster. The 26-year-old has made just five NFL starts, all of which came during the 2019 season. Blough lost all five games while throwing four touchdowns against six interceptions.

Goff will get a chance to turn his season around Sunday in a homecoming game against the Rams and Matthew Stafford, whom L.A. acquired in the offseason move that sent Goff to Detroit.

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