Career Timeline of Jared Goff: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Jared Goff, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Jared Goff is a professional American football quarterback currently playing for the Detroit Lions. He was drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Rams in 2016 after a record-setting college career at the University of California, Berkeley. Goff experienced a breakout in 2017, spearheading the Rams' return to the playoffs, and led them to Super Bowl LIII the following year, earning Pro Bowl selections in both seasons. In 2021, he was traded to the Detroit Lions.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1986: Surpassed Ken O'Brien's Record

During a week-4 38–31 victory over against the Minnesota Vikings, Goff completed 26 of 33 passes for a career-high 465 yards and five touchdowns, finishing with a perfect quarterback rating of 158.3. His performance set the record for most passing yards and attempts while maintaining a perfect passer rating, surpassing Ken O'Brien's 32 attempts for 431 yards in 1986.

1991: Lions' First Playoff Win Since 1991

Jared Goff led the Lions to their first playoff win since 1991, as the team advanced to the NFC Championship Game.

2003: Rams Clinched NFC West for the First Time Since 2003

In 2017, with a victory against the Tennessee Titans, the Rams clinched the NFC West for the first time since 2003.

2004: First Cal QB to Earn First-Team All-Pac-12 Honors

In 2015, Goff was the first Cal quarterback to earn first-team All-Pac-12 honors since Rodgers in 2004.

2008: Cal's First Post-Season Win Since 2008

In 2015, Goff helped Cal achieve their first post-season win since 2008.

2011: Cal's First Winning Record and Bowl Game

In 2015, Goff led an 8-5 Cal team to a winning record for the first time since 2011.

2011: Cal's First Winning Season Since 2011

In 2015, Goff led the Bears to a 7-5 regular-season finish, clinching Cal's first winning season since 2011.

January 2013: Enrolled at Cal in January 2013

In January 2013, Goff was a mid-year enrollee at the University of California, Berkeley, joining the Golden Bears for spring practices.

2013: Improved Team Performance

In 2014, Goff helped lead the Golden Bears to a 5–7 season, which was a four-win improvement over the 2013 season.

2013: Started all twelve games in the 2013 season

Under new head coach Sonny Dykes, Goff started all twelve games in the 2013 season, and although the team finished 1–11, he set Cal single-season records for passing yards (3,508), yardage gained (3,508), total offense (3,446), passes completed (320), and passes attempted (530).

2014: Continued as Starting Quarterback and Set Records

In 2014, Goff continued as the starting quarterback for the Golden Bears, setting new school records with 3,973 passing yards and 35 touchdowns.

November 14, 2015: Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week

On November 14, 2015, Goff threw for 453 yards and six touchdowns in a victory over Oregon State, earning Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week honors for the first time.

2015: Set Pac-12 Passing Records and Earned All-Pac-12 Honors

In 2015, Goff set a new Pac-12 single-season passing-yardage record with 4,714 yards and a new conference record for touchdown passes in a season with 43. He earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors.

February 2016: Projected as Early First-Round Pick in February 2016

In mid-February 2016, most analysts projected Goff to be selected in the early first round of the draft.

June 9, 2016: Signed Deal with Rams

On June 9, 2016, Goff signed a four-year deal worth $27.9 million in guaranteed money, including an $18.6 million signing bonus, with the Los Angeles Rams.

November 20, 2016: First NFL Start

On November 20, 2016, Jared Goff made his professional debut and first NFL start for the Los Angeles Rams against the Miami Dolphins.

2016: Declared for the 2016 NFL Draft

After his junior season, Goff announced his decision to forgo his senior season and enter the 2016 NFL draft.

2016: Projected as Top Quarterback

Going into the 2015 season, Goff was projected as the top quarterback for the 2016 NFL draft.

2016: Named Starting Quarterback

In 2016, Goff was named the Rams' starting quarterback after spending the first nine games as a backup.

2016: Drafted First Overall by Los Angeles Rams in 2016

In 2016, Goff was selected first overall by the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL draft after the Rams traded up to acquire the pick.

2017: Breakout Season and Playoff Appearance

In 2017, Goff had a breakout season, leading the Rams to their first playoff appearance since 2004.

January 6, 2018: First Playoff Game

On January 6, 2018, Goff played in his first playoff game, a Wild Card Round loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

January 22, 2018: First Pro Bowl Selection

On January 22, 2018, Goff was named to his first Pro Bowl as an injury and Super Bowl replacement for Carson Wentz.

2018: Continued Success and Pro Bowl Selection

In 2018, Goff had a successful season, throwing for 4,688 yards and 32 touchdowns, and was selected to his second straight Pro Bowl.

2018: Led Rams to Super Bowl

In 2018, Goff led the Rams to the Super Bowl LIII, becoming the youngest quarterback to win an NFC Championship Game.

April 23, 2019: Rams Picked Up Fifth-Year Option

On April 23, 2019, the Rams picked up the fifth-year option on Goff's contract.

2019: Goff's 2019 season

In 2019, Jared Goff finished the season with 4,638 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. He also had 40 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The Rams finished with a 9-7 record, and Goff led the league with 626 pass attempts. Goff's 394 pass completions set a single-season franchise record at the time.

2019: Launch of clothing line "JG16"

In the summer of 2019, Jared Goff launched his own clothing line called "JG16".

March 2020: Donation to Los Angeles Regional Food Bank

In March 2020, Jared Goff donated $250,000 to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank during the coronavirus pandemic.

2020: Patrick Mahomes Surpassed Goff

In 2019, Goff agreed to a four-year extension worth $134 million featuring $110 million guaranteed. At the time, it was an NFL record for the most guaranteed money in a contract, surpassed by Patrick Mahomes in 2020.

2020: Goff's 2020 Season

In 2020, Jared Goff finished the season with 3,952 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He also had 99 rushing yards and four touchdowns in 15 games. In Week 16 against the Seahawks, Goff broke his thumb.

March 18, 2021: Goff traded to the Lions

On March 18, 2021, Jared Goff was traded to the Detroit Lions. The Rams traded Goff, their first-round draft picks in 2022 and 2023, and a 2021 third-round pick in exchange for quarterback Matthew Stafford.

2021: Trade to Detroit Lions

In 2021, Jared Goff was traded from the Los Angeles Rams to the Detroit Lions.

2022: Pro Bowl Honors in 2022

In 2022, Jared Goff earned Pro Bowl honors again.

2022: Goff's 2022 season

In 2022, Jared Goff finished the season with 4,438 yards, 29 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, starting in all 17 games for the Lions. He was named to his third Pro Bowl as an alternative.