By our NFL Correspondent – Detroit, October 26, 2025 – In a fiery exchange that’s ignited the NFL world, Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff has clapped back at Hall of Famer Troy Aikman’s recent dig labeling him an “average QB.” Coming off a gritty 24-9 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football, which improved the Lions to 5-2 and solidified their NFC North lead, Goff’s response has left fans stunned, divided, and buzzing across social media. The 30-year-old signal-caller, who’s been on a tear this season, didn’t hold back in his postgame presser, turning the tables on the former Dallas Cowboys legend and sparking debates about Goff’s true elite status.
The drama traces back to last week’s Lions-Bucs matchup broadcast on ESPN, where Aikman, in the booth alongside Joe Buck, couldn’t resist critiquing Goff’s performance despite the QB’s near-perfect outing. Goff completed 18 of 20 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns, but Aikman downplayed it, mumbling on air about the stat not “counting” because Goff had fewer than 20 completions—a quirky broadcast aside that rubbed Lions fans the wrong way. Aikman, known for his sharp analysis and occasional shade, elaborated in a post-game segment on ESPN Radio: “Look, Goff’s solid, but he’s an average QB at best. Great at home in the dome, but on the road? He folds under pressure. The Lions are winning because of their run game and defense, not some QB wizardry.” The comments echoed long-standing narratives about Goff’s road struggles, a perception Aikman has hammered since Goff’s trade from the Rams in 2021.
Fans erupted immediately on platforms like Reddit and X, with r/detroitlions threads calling Aikman “salty” and “jealous,” drawing parallels to his own career highs and lows. One viral post read: “Troy Aikman calling Goff average? The same guy who threw three picks in a Super Bowl? Hypocrite much?” But Goff, fresh off a game where he dissected Tampa’s secondary with precision passes to Amon-Ra St. Brown (who hauled in a 27-yard TD) and Jahmyr Gibbs (78-yard TD run assisted by Goff’s blocking awareness), waited for the perfect moment to respond.
In his postgame press conference at Ford Field, Goff addressed the elephant in the room with a mix of class and bite that stunned reporters and viewers alike. “Troy Aikman called me average? That’s rich coming from a guy who won three rings with the greatest supporting cast in history,” Goff said, pausing for effect before delivering the stunner: “I’ve got more playoff wins than he did in his first five years combined, and I’m just getting started. Average? Tell that to the 5-2 record and the NFC’s top seed. Actions speak louder than broadcast booths.” The room fell silent for a beat, then erupted in murmurs—Goff’s retort was a masterclass in deflection, highlighting his 4-2 playoff record (including a Wild Card win last season) against Aikman’s early career struggles, where he went 0-3 in playoffs before his first Super Bowl.
Goff’s stats back up his bravado. Through seven games in 2025, he’s thrown for 1,856 yards, 14 TDs, and just two INTs, boasting a 105.2 passer rating—the highest of his career. His completion percentage sits at 71.4%, and he’s engineered comebacks in three of Detroit’s wins, including a 37-24 thriller over the Bengals in Week 5. Under new offensive coordinator John Morton (who replaced Ben Johnson, now with the Bears), Goff has thrived, with the Lions’ offense ranking No. 2 in scoring (28.7 PPG). Road games? Goff’s addressed the narrative head-on, posting a 112.3 rating away from Ford Field this year, including a dismantling of the Ravens in Week 2.
Aikman, reached for comment via ESPN, fired back mildly: “I stand by my analysis. Goff’s good, but elite? Not yet. Congrats on the win, though—maybe he’ll prove me wrong.” But the Lions locker room is rallying around their QB. Running back David Montgomery quipped, “Jared’s response? Chef’s kiss. Troy can talk from the booth; we’ll keep winning on the field.” Head coach Dan Campbell added, “Goff’s our guy. Fuel like that? It lights a fire. We’re 5-2 because he’s playing like an MVP candidate.”
Social media exploded post-presser, with #GoffFiresBack trending nationwide. Memes of Aikman’s stunned face from old Cowboys games flooded timelines, and Lions fans chanted “Average? Nah!” in highlight reels. Critics, however, called Goff’s jab “petty,” arguing it distracts from bigger goals like a deep playoff run. As Detroit heads into their Week 8 bye, Goff’s words have galvanized a team that’s overcome injuries to key defenders and emerged as NFC contenders.
This spat underscores Goff’s evolution from Rams castoff to Lions cornerstone—a narrative Aikman once dismissed. With tough matchups ahead, including a rematch with the Vikings on Nov. 2, Goff’s on-field response could silence doubters for good. For now, his verbal volley has fans stunned and the NFL talking. Is Goff average, or is he the quiet killer leading Detroit to glory? The season’s just heating up.
