The NFL operates on deadlines that are sometimes real and sometimes contrived. When it came to the Lions and quarterback Jared Goff, there was no obvious timeframe for getting a new deal in place. However, as OTAs were set to start next Tuesday, it was a natural point for negotiations to come to a head.
The Lions had initially hoped to finalize Goff’s deal before the draft, similar to the extensions signed by other players. However, the negotiations dragged on until the imminent start of OTAs prompted action. While it’s unlikely Goff would have skipped the voluntary practices, the mere suggestion of his potential absence may have been the final push needed to bridge the gap and finalize the agreement.
Deeper discussions may have revealed that Goff’s representatives hinted at the possibility of him staying away from OTAs if a deal wasn’t reached. This leverage, as a player under contract, could have been the catalyst for both sides to come to an agreement before the start of practices. With Goff being the starting quarterback, his absence would have been felt during OTAs, making it a strong bargaining chip.
In conclusion, while there was no obvious deadline for getting a new deal in place for Jared Goff with the Lions, negotiations ultimately came to an end just before OTAs began due to leverage from both sides.
