Jared Goff has high praise for Vikings' Brian Flores, Harrison Smith

Jared Goff has high praise for Vikings' Brian Flores, Harrison Smith

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Jared Goff has high praise for Vikings' Brian Flores, Harrison Smith

“Oh, God.”

That was a fitting reaction from Lions QB Jared Goff when asked by Chris Long about the most obscene thing he’s seen a Brian Flores defense do after the ball is snapped.

Goff knows better than most what it’s like to go against Flores, dating back to Super Bowl LIII between the Rams and Patriots. Since the Vikings hired Flores as their defensive coordinator three years ago, the two have faced off twice a year.

What first came to Goff’s mind, rather than a specific play, was two players who he believes make the unique scheme work for the Vikings: Ultra-versatile safeties Harrison Smith and Josh Metellus.

“Harrison and Metellus allow them to do things that I’m not sure every other team could do,” Goff said on the Green Light Podcast. “Those guys are so smart and so confident in what they want to do that they are able to hold down and get out of there at the snap. With, not no repercussion, but they know where their problems are, they understand the game in that way, which makes it really hard.”

With Ben Johnson calling plays, Goff had more success against the Vikings’ defense than anyone else in the Flores era. In the 2023 and ’24 seasons, the Lions went 4-0 against the Vikings, scoring 30 or 31 points in every game. Last year, with Johnson gone, the Vikings swept the season series, including a truly dominant defensive performance that featured six takeaways, including a Smith interception.

“Harrison’s been doing it for years where he stands on the line of scrimmage and plays the deep third,” Goff said. “I’m like ‘There’s no way we can allow him to do that.’ Like, that’s crazy. We can’t let him get away with this. But yet… He’s a Gold Jacket (Hall of Fame) guy, in my opinion. Got me on one last year.”

Even in his 14th season, Smith played at a high level for the Vikings and helped make everything on their defense come to life with his communication and experience. That’s why the question of whether or not he’s truly retiring remains such an important one heading into this Vikings season. If the 37-year-old decides he wants to play one more season, Flores and company would welcome him back with open arms.

If Smith does retire, the Vikings will end up asking more of players like Theo Jackson, Jay Ward, and their two rookies (Jakobe Thomas and Jacob Thomas) in their safety room. One thing they’re not going to do is dial down the chaos. Flores is always going to throw the book at opposing offenses, both before and after the snap.

“It’s really fun playing against them,” Goff said. “It’s very hard. It’s challenging, but it is really fun, that chess match and the work that goes into that.”

The Vikings play the Lions in Weeks 8 and 15 this year.

Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) passes the ball under pressure from Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) in the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium.Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

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This story was originally published by Bring Me The Sports on Aug 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN Vikings section. Add Bring Me The Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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