Our 2024 Detroit Lions preview series kicks off with our predictions for team Offensive MVP.
It’s officially Week 1, which means it’s time to kick off our 2024 Detroit Lions preview series. Over the next six days, our staff will be answering key questions about the season and making predictions for what will happen. You’ll have the opportunity to make your own predictions with a poll at the bottom of the article, and you can discuss your choices in the comment section below.
But for now, let’s kick things off with our selection for:
2024 Detroit Lions Offensive Player of the Year
Brandon Knapp: Jahmyr Gibbs
The passing game is going to do well, but if the team can’t find a solid WR3, it’s going to struggle at times. The unit that shouldn’t struggle this season is the running game and Gibbs is going to start taking over as the starting running back. He’ll be used not just on the ground, but in the passing game as well. When you have the best offensive line in the NFL, it makes running the ball even easier.
John Whiticar: Jared Goff
It’s easy to say that the quarterback is the most important part of the offense, but it’s hard to ignore that with the Lions. Goff had arguably the best season of his career last season, and look at where it took the Lions. If Jameson Williams can take the next step and Jahmyr Gibbs becomes more involved in the passing game, there will be no shortage of targets to allow Goff to thrive yet again.
Jeremy Reisman: Jahmyr Gibbs
Yes, the guy who hates drafting running backs is going to pick the running back for Offensive Player of the Year. While Jared Goff is the chalk choice, I believe Gibbs could have a truly epic season. I think there’d be more hype around Gibbs’ second season had he not been injured for much of camp, but it’s clear they plan on making him a huge part of their passing game, and we already saw his explosiveness in the run game. 1,000-1,000 yard season incoming?
Ryan Mathews: Frank Ragnow
This Lions offense is an absolute embarrassment of riches, and it’s safe to say that no other team in my Lions-watching life has had this much talent all over. From what very well could be the best running back duo in the NFL with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, to the wide receiver tandem of Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, the Lions could have the best tight end in the NFL by the time this season’s over in Sam LaPorta.
All that being said, the offensive MVP for the Lions in 2024 will be Frank Ragnow–the man in the middle of what could be the best offense in the NFL is also the best center in the league. Ragnow’s unquestioned status as one the league’s toughest guys in the league, combined with his football IQ and unique blend of athleticism and strength, will make the rest of the offense possible.
Morgan Cannon: Penei Sewell
It would be easy to go with one of the Lions many elite-level skill position players for this award, but instead I am going with the best offensive lineman in the NFL—Penei Sewell. Since his arrival as a play-caller, Lions’ offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has made it a point to feature Sewell’s game in every week’s game plan. From getting Sewell out into space in front of ball carriers, or sending him in motion as the extra offensive linemen for an entire series like he did in the NFC Championship game, Johnson finds unique ways to maximize Sewell’s otherworldly skills. And coming off of his first team All-Pro nod in 2023, I think 2024 is the year Sewell cements his status as the game’s premier player at the position.
Meko Scott: Jared Goff
It’s hard to ignore the consistent growth of Jared Goff since he arrived in Detroit. Both his numbers and the team success are proof of how far he’s come since in LA days, and I think that upward trend will continue this season. He’s got the best OL protecting him, top five players at WR and TE in Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta, the best RB duo in the league, and arguably the second best play caller in the NFL in OC Ben Johnson. Sign me up for another big year from JG as he leads this team to another exciting season.
Erik Schlitt: Amon-Ra St. Brown
The Lions’ offense has been dynamic over the last two seasons and once again looked sharp in training camp. There are a lot of weapons that need to be fed, and this is a team that loves to run the football, but make no mistake—this offense runs through Amon-Ra St. Brown. Look for his hard work to pay off as he continues to build on his All-Pro career.
Hamza Baccouche: Jared Goff
It has to be Jared Goff. Without him, this train doesn’t run. It’s easy to take his growth for granted; we often don’t realize the true extent of it until he goes on a bender for a few weeks. However, each year those benders are shorter and further apart, and his consistently excellent play is becoming a core part of his identity as a quarterback in this league. If the Lions want to return to the NFC Championship this year, they’ll need Goff to take another step to compete in a stronger NFC. This team starts and stops with Goff, and I’m betting he’ll step up to the plate.
Max Gerber: Jared Goff
While the title of Lions’ Offensive MVP should go to Penei Sewell, offensive linemen still don’t get the respect they deserve. Realistically, Jared Goff is my choice to win this award. With a stable of receiving options around him, including Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs, it won’t be hard for Goff to succeed. One other factor for why Goff will be Detroit’s MVP on offense is the addition of Kevin Zeitler, who will finally stop the ever-changing carousel that was the guard position that we have seen over the past few seasons.
Alex Reno: Jared Goff
In Ben Johnson’s offense, Goff looks more comfortable than he ever has in his entire career, and he’s coming off of a year with over 4,500 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. I think he could even surpass those numbers this year, and with the team expected to compete for the top spot in the NFC, Goff could be chasing the NFL MVP, not just the Lions’ offensive MVP in 2024.
Alec Karsten: Jared Goff
Jared Goff as the decisive facilitator in Year 3 under Ben Johnson will be the Lions offensive MVP in 2024. While Amon-Ra St. Brown will be the straw that stirs the drink on offense, Goff’s proficiency as the point guard, pre-snap and post-snap, at this stage of his career will be the catalyst to a well-balanced offense that again averages over three touchdowns per game. Sam LaPorta will continue to win in the intermediate and red zone, the versatile rushing attack lead by the offensive line and David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs will overwhelm opponents, Jameson Williams’ breakout will feature explosives both vertically and horizontally, and all will be made possible thanks to Goff.
Jerry Mallory: Jahmyr Gibbs
His impact was felt during his rookie season with a modest but effective start as the team eased him in slowly. As the season ended it was clear he was one of the most dangerous weapons on the team… and also the NFL. With the NFCCG fumble still on his mind, he will be on a mission to tweak any hiccups from his rookie campaign and be a dual threat to the tune of over 1,700 total yards and double digit touchdowns (again).
