As the news broke that Lamar Jackson was hitting the open market as one of the hottest names in recent years, it was only a matter of time before the Detroit Lions popped up as a trade destination.

Jackson is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL when healthy, and the Lions appear to be on the verge of a massive franchise shift if they can play the next few months in the right way.

Some think that adding Jackson could be just what the Lions need to get over the hump and emerge as one of the top teams in the NFL.

Those people would very likely be wrong.

As strange as it is to hear it, Jared Goff and quarterback play for the Lions have not been the limiting factors for this team.

Goff was great in 2022 with 4,438 passing yards and 29 touchdowns against only seven interceptions, and this was all accomplished while playing every game in the regular season on a cheaper contract than Lamar Jackson is asking for.

Can you see where this is going?

Jackson is going to break the bank with his new team. He is also going to get injured. The sample size is large enough by this point to just know that this is how things will transpire.

Jackson is one of the best players in the league by far when healthy, but that "when healthy" is a huge if.

Teams just can't afford to spend so much on a guy that will miss games and practices on a consistent basis as Jackson does, and the Lions need this less than anyone.

Sure, Jackson at his peak is better than Goff at his, but the difference in play is closer than the difference in pay.

Goff is a steal for what you're paying him. Jackson would be too on Goff's contract, but that deal isn't currently on the table.

So the Lions would give up two draft picks, a mountain in cap space, and eat part or all of Goff's contract just to what? Hopefully get a guy that will reach Goff's marks in 2022? That seems like a lot to invest in a limited return.

No one would ever say that Lamar is a bad player and wouldn't be fun to watch with the Lions, but what would you rather watch: Lamar Jackson with this current roster or Jared Goff with some first-round picks and more cap space for Brad Holmes to work with?

The Lions are better off staying put. If they really want a younger quarterback to invest in, spending the sixth-overall pick on any of the top options gives them that chance without making the deal a massive gamble for the team.

One way or another, this team is on the verge of winning the division and making the playoffs, and it is fair to say that making a huge change at the most important position might not be the best idea to that end.