With the Detroit Lions officially eliminated from playoff contention, plenty of people around the league assumed Week 18 would be a rest week for veterans like Jared Goff. But if you ask the Lions’ quarterback, sitting out isn’t even on the table, and he made that crystal clear during his Tuesday appearance on 97.1 The Ticket with Karsch & Anderson.
When Goff was asked why it matters so much to him to suit up against the Chicago Bears in a game that technically doesn’t impact the standings, his answer came from a place of pride, responsibility, and leadership.
“Because I’m the quarterback of this team and that’s what I do, I play on Sundays,” Goff said. “Like that’s the bottom line.”
For Goff, it’s not just about finishing the season, it’s about honoring the game and the people in the locker room.
“I think that’s not just for me, that’s for (Amon-Ra) St. Brown, that’s for everybody,” he continued. “Like we get paid an exorbitant amount to play football on Sundays and I don’t care what the situation is, we’re going to go out there and give it everything we have and try to win.”
Beyond personal pride, Goff pointed out something bigger, Week 18 matters for the players whose future in the league is still uncertain.
“There’s certainly guys that won’t be on this team next year that are playing for future jobs. And they know that. So they want to put their best foot forward as well.”
And for the core players who will return in 2026, Goff views Sunday as a chance to show accountability and unity one last time before the offseason.
“I think the guys that will be here next year, they want to express to their teammates, and to their coaches, you know, how much they care about each other, and make that known on Sunday.”
Jared Goff on why it's important for him to play Sunday against the Bears pic.twitter.com/IECfm86p0O
— 97.1 The Ticket: (@971theticketxyt) December 30, 2025
In other words, yes, the playoff race is over. But inside the locker room, Week 18 still means something.
It’s about professionalism. It’s about respect. And for Jared Goff, it’s about leading the team the way a franchise quarterback believes he should, by playing.
